Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United will lock horns in what promises to be an exciting MTN8 quarterfinal clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.

Kick-off is at 8:15pm.

The match see's two of the country's heavyweights go toe-to-toe in what is the opening weekend of the 2017-18 season.

Ending in fourth and fifth place on the Absa Premiership respectively last season, both teams will be hoping for a better Absa Premiership campaign.

For the Amakhosi the upcoming campaign is especially important as they aim to bounce back from another trophyless season.

Yet the Soweto giants have an unrivaled pedigree in the Top 8 competition, having won it a record 15 times (most recently in 2014).

Matsatsanta are not desperate for cup success having ended the previous campaign by defending their Nedbank Cup glory.

Eric Tinkler, though, will be hoping to make a quick start in his new role with MTN8 glory likely to set the tone for what the season holds.

In all, SuperSport United have only won the Top 8 completion on one previous occasion. Back in 2004 a single goal from Phil Evans guided the club to a 1-0 win over Chiefs in the final.

Predicted Starting XI

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune; Masilela, Gordinho, Mathoho, Mphahlele - Katsande, Maluleka, Ekstein, Tshabalala, Parker, Paez

SuperSport United: Williams; Kekana, Gould, Daniels, Bhasera - Furman, Letsholonyane, Phala, Mnyamane, Brockie, Grobler

Head-to-Head

PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS

1996/97 Coca-Cola 2nd round Chiefs 1-2 SuperSport T. Lebese; Batchelor 2

1998/99 Bob Save final SuperSport 2-1 Chiefs Madigage, Salmon; Ndlanya (pen)

2004/05 SAA Supa8 final SuperSport 1-0 Chiefs Evan (pen)

2004/05 Coca-Cola final Chiefs 1-0 SuperSport Mbesuma

2005/06 Absa Cup 1st round Chiefs 3-1 SuperSport Agyemang 2, Mathebula; Tsabedze

2006/07 SAA Supa8 final Chiefs 1-0 SuperSport Kilambe

2007/08 Telkom quarterfinal SuperSport 0-1 Chiefs Tshabalala

2009/10 Nedbank Cup 1st round SuperSport 1-2 Chiefs Madubanya; Yende, Musona

2012/13 Nedbank Cup final Chiefs 1-0* SuperSport Parker

2013/14 Nedbank Cup q/final Chiefs 2-0 SuperSport G. Lebese

2016/17 Nedbank Cup, q/final Chiefs 1-1** SuperSport Mphahlele; Brockie

*After extra time

**After extra time, SuperSport won 5-3 on penalties

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2012/13 SuperSport 1-2 Chiefs Erasmus; Majoro 2

2012/13 Chiefs 1-1 SuperSport Majoro; Zuma

2013/14 SuperSport 3-1 Chiefs Mathebula, Chenene, Grobler (pen); Parker (pen)

2013/14 Chiefs 1-0 SuperSport Parker

2014/15 Chiefs 2-0 SuperSport Masango, Nkhatha

2014/15 SuperSport 2-0 Chiefs Brockie, Wome

2015/16 SuperSport 1-4 Chiefs Wome; Lebese 2, Bukenya, Tshabalala

2015/16 Chiefs 2-1 SuperSport Maluleka, Twala; Brockie

2016/17 Chiefs 1-1 SuperSport Lebese; Mnyamane

2016/17 SuperSport 2-2 Chiefs Masango, Modiba; Tshabalala 2

What the teams are saying:

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune:

“We are all aware of the fact that SuperSport United are a big team, they are confident having recently won a trophy. But, we had a good pre-season, played well in build up to the season and we are happy with how the new players have strengthened the squad,” said Khune.

“As a team we have been playing really well, but last season we gave matches away - this has to change and that is something we emphasized.

“Not only the coach is under pressure, but us as players as well. We have to execute his plan. We've let him down on a couple of occasions and it is up to us to do the job on the field; to be clinical in front of goal at to stop conceding silly goals.”

SuperSport United midfielder Dean Furman:

“We are two competitive teams, two teams with big aspirations, two teams who want to be successful and two teams who have top players,” said Furman.

“We are heading into the game with confidence knowing that we have gotten past Chiefs in cup games in the past. That bodes well for us and we are going to a ground that holds good memories for us. We are heading into the game with a lot of confidence and hopefully we can book our place in the semifinal.”

Key players for Kaizer Chiefs

As long as Itumeleng Khune is in goal the Bafana Bafana shot-stopper will be a key player for the club. The best goal-minder in the country, the Glamour Boys goalkeeper can often stand between victory and defeat.

Gustavo Paez goal-scoring credentials will also have a huge say in how the club does this season with Chiefs having struggled for goals of late.

Moreover, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Willard Katsande's experience will be key once more with Steve Komphela growing dependent on 'Shabba' for a spark of creativity last season.

He will be even more important following George Lebese's move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Key players for SuperSport United

The attacking duo of Jeremy Brockie and Thabo Mnyamane could be pivotal to Matsatsanta claiming more cup glory this season with the latter set to prosper even more under the watchful eye of Eric Tinkler.

Mnyamane and Thuso Phala will be licking their lips having watched what Tinkler built at Cape Town City, with the attackers to run havoc on the counter.

Reneilwe Letsholoyane proved last season that Chiefs made a mistake by letting him go so easily with 'Yeye' having enjoyed a stellar campaign while Morgan Gould's form also emerged as a massive boost. The burly defender having named the club's Player of the Season earlier this week.