MAMELODI Sundowns’ on-form Sibusiso Vilakazi and Percy Tau are looking forward to scoring a double in the MTN8 and Caf Champions League in October.
The duo will start their mission at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (5pm) when they face highly rated Bidvest Wits in the Wafa Wafa final.
That will be followed by a two-legged final date against Egyptian giants Zamalek in their bid for continental glory. The first leg will take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 14 October with the return leg in Egypt seven days later.
Vilakazi relishes the challenge of meeting his former teammates, who are also hungry to win the trophy. The last time Wits won some silverware was back in 2010 when they lifted the Nedbank Cup.
Said Vilakazi: “I am looking forward to it. I am not the only one happy to reach two finals, my teammates feel the same.
“Everyone is fit and ready, which is key to achieving our goal. Let’s see what happens on Saturday.”
The skillful player has put behind him the setback of losing two finals to Orlando Pirates with Wits, the Telkom Knockout in the 2012-13 season and the Nedbank Cup in the 2013-14 season.
“I am disappointed when I think I could have won both finals. But it’s a different situation now, hopefully it will be a turnaround situation for me. We have done well to make it this far and I think we deserve the trophy.”
Tau is excited to have reached his first cup final in his professional career.
“It’s about time we finish what we started. There is no point in playing in the final if you don’t win it.
“The Wits game will be different to the ones against SuperSport United and Chippa United. We will need to stick to our plan to win it. We can focus on the Champions League when the time comes.”
However, Tau has also prepared himself for disappointment in case his dream goes up in smoke.
He said: “I have experienced that a lot – expecting things to go a certain way, only for them to take another turn. I always expect the unexpected and I will take it the way it comes.”
Tau reckons the experience of playing in the Champions League will be vital on Saturday: “It’s very important to play in the Champions League because teams play different styles.
“We met Zesco, who play a very dynamic style of football, with four players in front of four defenders. They only have two central midfielders.
“It is vital for us to be able to adapt to different styles – it’s international football.
“We have also met Zamalek, who play almost the same style but use the ball more.
“It’s important for young players to get international experience from an early age, so they know what to expect.”
