Chiefs Coach Muhsin Ertugral said a week ago prior to his team playing out a 2-2 draw with Orlando Pirates, that if need be, he would make changes to his starting eleven for the Telkom Cup Final against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ahead of the big showdown between the two Gauteng giants Ertugral has stuck to his words, which also said the door to a starting berth in the cup final is open to any one willing to show that they deserve to be in the match. Going into what will be his third cup final as a coach in just about a year and his fifth with Chiefs and his seventh overall with a South African team, the Chiefs coach has tinkered with his starting eleven as well as his formation for the Cup Final.

The general in the field

One glaring omission from the Chiefs coaches starting eleven a week ago was the fact that he had left Tinashe Nengomasha, the only player who had till that point played in all of the Amakhosi’s matches this season at home. Nengomasha though is back in his usual role between the midfield and defence; he will make a welcome return and will be able to add some muscle for Chiefs in the key battle for midfield supremacy.

Nengomasha’s inclusion means that The Amakhosi’s man of the match from the last round against Bloemfontein Celtic, Gerald Sibeko has been moved down the order to the substitute’s bench for the Cup Final.

Obua on starting blocks

David Obua has fought and won himself a place back in the starting eleven he was impressive after coming on as a second half substitute against Pirates, he managed to open up the Pirates defence with some deft touches that set the Chiefs strikers on their way.

He was also able to come up with some efforts from distance which gave the opposition a couple of nervous and anxious moments, given the impact he made against Pirates he was given a starting berth ahead of Shaun Bartlett as Chiefs start upfront with Khenyeza as the lone target man.

Spencer, Mathebula also in fray

Derrick Spencer begins for the first time this season and what a way to get your first start then by being included in the starting eleven for a cup final, Spencer believed that he had done enough earlier in the week to convince the coach that he deserved a chance.

It is now up to him to come up with the kind of performance which will justify his inclusion, as well as him coming in ahead of Fabian McCarthy who is dropped altogether from the final. Another of the substitutes from a week ago David Mathebula gets a start on Saturday evening, prior to a metatarsal injury a few months ago Mathebula’s form was scintillating he did show against Pirates that he is not to far of the mark and wins the vote ahead of Thabo Mooki. With all the changes in the team Thuso Phala who was on the bench against Pirates, loses his spot in the eighteen.

Match Information:

Mamelodi Sundowns (4-4-2): 91. Brian Baloyi, 30. Vuyo Mere, 19. Benson Mhlongo,

5. Mbulelo Mabizela, 4. Oscar Ntwagae, 3. Esrom Nyandoro, 6. Jorge Acuna, 8. Lerato Chabangu. 9. Josta Dladla, 14. Surprise Moriri, 21. Brent Carelse




Substitutes: 1. Calvin Marlin, 25. Michael Manzini, 10. Godfrey Sapula, 89. Patrick Apataki Kifu, 23. Peter Ndlovu, 11. Manqoba Ngwenya, 24. Shere Lekgothoane

Coach: Gordon Ingesund


Assistant Coach: Trott Moloto


Goalkeeper Coach: Alex Hereida

Kaizer Chiefs (3-1-4-1-1): 32. Itumeleng Khune, 2. Jimmy Tau, 3. Onismor Bhasera,

4. Cyril Nzama, 8. Tinashe Nengomasha, 28. Derrick Spencer, 13. David Obua,

14. Siphiwe Tshabalala, 18. Arthur Zwane, 24. David Mathebula, 5. Mabhudi Khenyeza




Substitutes: 30. Emille Baron, 33. Ditheko Mototo, 29. Mokete Tsotetsi, 17. Shaun Bartlett, 12. Thabo Mooki, 7. Kaizer Motaung Junior, 27. Gerald Sibeko

Coach: Muhsin Ertugral


Assistant Coach: Fani Madida


Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker

Match Officials:


Referee: Abdul Ebrahim


Assistant 1: Steven Moshotle


Assistant 2: Leon Mngqibisa


4th Official: Lwandile Mfiki


Match Commissioner: Mr. Robert Pillay