We are a God-fearing team – Da Gama

Dubbed the traditional home of domestic football, the Orlando Stadium will host SuperSport United and Highlands Park as they battle out for the R8 million-prized MTN8 title on Saturday evening.

Led by Owen da Gama, The Lions of the North will look to have their name engraved on the Top 8 trophy for the first time against a side well accustomed to hoisting trophies aloft. Da Gama says his players are surprisingly calm.

Da Gama insists they are a God-fearing side and does not need to pay a visit to a traditional doctor to aid them in overcoming United.

The game could not have come at the right time for former United midfield maestro Reneilwe Letsholonyane who is likely to be handed his Highlands debut against a side he spent the last three seasons with.

Though he remained coy on whether “Yeye” will play, Da Gama says he is definitely part of his final 18 man squad.

Nearly the entire Highlands squad will be featuring in their first cup final and Da Gama says he is banking on the experience of Letsholonyane to guide the younger troops.

Highlands, who coincidentally booked their spot by beating United 2-0 in their final league fixture last season will have their players share half of the R8m prize money should they emerge victorious on Saturday.

Da Gama is no stranger to cup finals having previously led his now defunct former team Silver Stars to two finals where he lost the 2003 Coca Cola Cup to Kaizer Chiefs and won the 2006 Telkom Knockout against Ajax Cape Town.

He credits the journey to his sound relationship with Highlands director Larry Brookstone who was also the Silver Stars owner when Da Gama was at the helm.

Playing in their third straight final, Matsatsantsa coach Kaitano Tembo insists he is  not driven by expectations and mandates.

United will be turning out for their 11^th cup final in nine seasons and the Zimbabwean born mentor says that is the standard set at United.

Tembo says he is not bothered by what information Letsholonyane might have fed his new side and instead chooses to acknowledge the significant contribution and legacy Yeye left on the younger players at United.

This will be United’s third cup final at the Orlando Stadium having won the 2012 Nedbank Cup Final against Mamelodi Sundowns as well as loosing the 2013 MTN8 final to Moroka Swallows. – Report by Tumi Gabonamong

#MTN8Final

Behind the scenes: Rehearsals for tomorrow’s world class show. pic.twitter.com/6RdTK8LpDX

— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) October 4, 2019