Bidvest Wits will square off with Golden Arrows in the 2017 MTN8 Cup quarterfinal match at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.

Kick-off is at 8:00pm.

The Clever Boys are coming into this year's competition as the defending champions having defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2016 final.

They qualified for the 2017 tournament after winning last season's Absa Premiership title for the first time since the club was established in 1921.

Arrows, who won the MTN8 in 2009, finished eighth in the league last season after defeating Orlando Pirates in their final league of the campaign.

Possible starting line-ups:

Bidvest Wits: Keet, Frosler, Hlanti, Hlatshwayo, Damjanovic, Scott, Ntshangase, Pienaar, Klate, Mhango, Keene.

Golden Arrows: Gumede, Mathiane, Nonyane, Mzava, Bilankulu, Magubane, Sibiya, Jooste, Mahachi, Lamola, Mutizwa.

Head-to-Head (since 2001/02)

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

Season Cup Result Scorers

2013/14 Telkom KO, last 16 Wits 2-3 Arrows Mngonyama, Vilakazi; Ntuli 2,

Bester

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2011/12 Wits 2-2 Arrows Sif. Vilakazi 2 (1 pen); Gabuza, Mbesuma

2011/12 Arrows 1-1 Wits Mlotshwa; Tshabangu

2012/13 Wits 1-0 Arrows Pattison

2012/13 Arrows 1-2 Wits Sib. Vilakazi, Faty; Nguzana

2013/14 Wits 1-0 Arrows Ngalende

2013/14 Arrows 0-1 Wits Ngcobo

2015/16 Wits 3-2 Arrows Mahlambi, Klate 2; Hotto, Khenyeza

2015/16 Arrows 0-1 Wits Hlanti

2016/17 Arrows 0-0 Wits

2016/17 Wits 3-0 Arrows Mhango (pen), Ngele 2

CUP RECORD

P W D L GF GA

Wits 1 0 0 1 2 3

Arrows 1 1 0 0 3 2

OVERALL RECORD (all competitions)

P W D L GF GA

Wits 29 17 7 5 47 33

Arrows 29 5 7 17 33 47

What the teams are saying

Bidvest Wits captain Thulani Hlatshwayo:

“We know what to expect, we know what kind of team they are. They are unpredictable and everyone starts from zero (this season), including us," he said.

"We know they have a lot of speedy players and we have to be prepared for their counterattacks and make sure we use our strengths.”

Golden Arrows assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi:

"Our preparations have gone very well, but we are expecting a tough match against Wits because they are the reigning Absa Premiership champions and they have the best squad in league," he said.

"They play direct football under coach Gavin Hunt and we know what to expect from them. We are ready for them and I think we can beat them in their own backyard."

Key players

Bidvest Wits' two dangermen are Thulani Hlatshwayo and Daine Klate.

Hlatshwayo's leadership and organisational qualities have made him one of the best defenders in South Africa.

The versatile defender will be eager to lead the Clever Boys to victory against Abafana Bes'thende as they look to successfully defend the Cup.

Klate, who has an educated left foot, has proved to be one of the most dangerous attackers in the country with his ability from set-pieces.

The 32-year-old winger has the big match temperament to inspire the Clever Boys to victory over Abafana Bes'thende.

Golden Arrows' key players are Musa Bilankulu and Knox Mutizwa.

Bilankulu's ability to flourish in defence and midfield makes him an important member of the Arrows squad.

The 32-year-old player will be keen to marshal the Abafana Bes'thende defence and help his side overcome the defending MTN8 champions.

Mutizwa is coming into clash oozing with confidence after being named 2017 COSAFA Cup Player of the Tournament after helping Zimbabwe win the competition in pre-season.

The Abafana Bes’thende striker, who was recently sold to Arrows by Wits, will have a point to prove against his former employers.