Teko Modise
(Cape Town City)
The General will lead City’s charge in the first leg semi-final against Sundowns at the Cape Town Stadium today.
In the twilight of his career, Modise is arguably one of the PSL’s great stars, having starred for all of SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Sundowns. He remains the only player to have won the coveted PSL Footballer of the Year twice while he was at Pirates despite not winning any cup competitions there.
The notion that he was jinxed to never win trophies was smashed when he led Sundowns to the Nedbank Cup trophy in the 2014/15 season.
That success opened the floodgates to more trophies as he added two league titles, the Telkom Knockout as well as continental glory in the form of the Caf Champions League as well as the Caf Super Cup to the list.
The MTN8 eluded him though as he twice came close. Back in 2016 he was in the Sundowns side that was beaten 3-0 by Bidvest Wits in the final and last year he came even closer when City lost to SuperSport via the shoot-out from penalties in the final.
Will he lead City to the final and come right at the third time of asking?
Denis Onyango
(Mamelodi Sundowns)
There can be no denying that the Ugandan goalkeeper has become the best number one in the PSL, his success with Sundowns both locally and on the continent evidence of this.
Always in control of the box, a brilliant shot-stopper and overall a source of confidence for the defence in front of him, Onyango has been the source of Sundowns’ great success in recent seasons.
He’s got three league titles to his name, the Telkom Konckout winners’ medal as well as gold from the Nedbank Cup.
He is an African club champion and has won the Caf Super Cup too - achievements that led to him being named African Goalkeeper of the Year based on the continent, Onyango having also led his country’s national team - the Cranes - to their maiden African Cup of Nations.
All that’s missing for the big, gentle giant is an MTN8 triumph. With Sundowns in the semis, Onyango is just three matches away from attaining that success which would help see him surely retire a contented man.
But Modise won’t let him have it his way that easily.'
Denis Onyango will have his fair share of work given the attacking style Cape Town City are known for. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Khama Billiat
(Kaizer Chiefs)
The Zimbabwean’s impact on the domestic league cannot be underestimated.
Sundowns owe most of their recent successes to the influence of the slightly built, versatile attacker and it was thus somewhat of a shock when they allowed him to leave, especially to join a local rival side in Amakhosi.
Billiat though is yet to sizzle as was expected for Chiefs who are looking to him to help end their embarrassing three-season trophy-less spell. And as just as hungry are the Glamour Boys for silverware, so is Billiat for the MTN8.
The player who swept the boards at the PSL awards in the 2015/16 season will be keen to complete his South Afrian trophy haul by adding an MTN8 winner’s medal to the three Absa Premiership ones that are proudly displayed at his home alongside those from the Telkom Knockout, Nedbank Cup, Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup.
He has already scored in this competition and while Chiefs are having a wretched time in the league, that 3-0 win over Free State Stars in the quarter-finals should have Billiant and Co walk onto the Lucas Moripe Stadium against holders SuperSport with some confidence.