Cape Town - The stage is set for the first Soweto derby of the season and Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will meet at the FNB Stadium in the fifth ever Carling Black label Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Kick-off is at 15:30 and the game has been sold out for two weeks already.
The format of the Black Label Cup divides public opinion in that fans of the country's two biggest clubs are tasked with choosing the starting line-ups via text message.
In addition to that, two lucky winners are elected to serve as 'managers' on the day, meaning that the roles of Eric Tinkler and new Chiefs boss Steve Komphela are completely minimised.
But while the match ultimately serves as the final bit of pre-season preparation for the sides, there is no such thing as a 'friendly' clash between Chiefs and Pirates.
Bucs go into the match as slight favourites due to the fact that their season has already started - they have been playing in the CAF Confederation Cup. Bucs have also won three of the previous four editions of the showpiece.
Former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth is another who believes that Tinkler's charges will have enough to get over the line.
“Pirates have played more competitive (in Africa) of late and so should be sharper and more match fit,” he told Sport24 on Saturday.
Booth added that Thami Gabuza, who was a late replacement for the injured Kermit Erasmus, would be a major player for Pirates.
“Gabuza will give something different to Pirates and is a capable replacement for Erasmus.”
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