JOHANNESBURG — On paper, the inaugural edition of the Mbombela Super Cup is just another pre-season tournament, but for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns it is a golden opportunity.
The four-team competition — to be played in Nelspruit on Sunday — also involves Sivutsa Stars and Swaziland-based side Mbabane Swallows.
The two South African football giants, who have been active on the player transfer market, will use the matches to help their players gel into each other while also perfecting their combinations and technical approach.
With a fearsome attacking line-up that includes the likes of Nyasha Mushekwi, Eleazar Rodgers and Edward Manqele, Sundowns are largely expected to progress to the finals when they meet Sivutsa Stars in the first semi-final to be played at 10.30am.
Similarly, Pirates are also widely tipped to dominate Swallows in the other semi-final at 1pm. Bucs coach Augusto Palacios is likely to field forgotten midfielder Onyekachi Okonkwo, Patrick Phungwayo, Aubrey Ngoma and Sifiso Myeni during the match.
The winner of the tournament will donate the R200 000 prize to a local charity.
Bucs skipper Lucky Lekgwathi, who is looking forward to the tournament, predicts a very tough 2012-2013 season and points out that all the teams will be eager to wrestle the title from the League Champions.
