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Preview: Ajax v Sundowns

Cape Town - The 2014/15 Premier Soccer League season reaches its climax on Saturday as Ajax Cape Town face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final.

The Premiership rivals will square off for the last piece of silverware, as well as a cool R7 million, in front of a sell-out Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium crowd this weekend, where around 48 500 screaming fans are expected to show up.

The Brazilians are looking for their first cup title since 2008, while the Urban Warriors last lifted a trophy the year before - when it was still the Absa Cup - leaving both clubs determined to bring an end to their respective barren streaks.

Sundowns head into the match on the back of a strong run-in to the Premiership season, having won their final three games, although even that did not help ease the sting of losing the league crown to Kaizer Chiefs.

Pitso Mosimane's men will now be looking for redemption in the Ke Yona showpiece, and form, as well as the history books, suggests they are on track for just that.

The Tshwane giants finished the league campaign with more wins, more goals scored and less conceded compared to Ajax, while they have also won four of their last five meetings with the Urban Warriors.

However, those victories have been narrow and Ajax managed to beat Premiership rivals and supposed favourites Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United on their way to the final, while also thrashing Mainstay United earlier in the competition.

The Mother City outfit will, however, have to do it without coach Roger De Sa, who will have to watch this one from the stands after being sent off in the 2-2 draw against Orlando Pirates on the final day of the league season.

Anssi Jaakkola will be looking to strengthen his nomination for Goalkeeper of the Season as he makes his debut cup final appearance for Ajax.

For Sundowns, Surprise Moriri is set to make his fourth Nedbank Cup final appearance in a Brazilians shirt and will be looking for a second Ke Yona title, while the match will also mark the final showing for captain Alje Schut, who will depart to his homeland of the Netherlands in the off-season.

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