Ajax Cape Town are hoping to prove youth development trumps spending sprees when they tackle Mamelodi Sundowns in an MTN8 quarter-final on Friday night.
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The clash at Athlone marks the start of the tournament and the Urban Warriors are placing their faith in youngsters Thulani Serero and Sameehg Doutie, who have just returned from trials in Holland.
The Cape side will be desperate to exorcise the ghosts of last season's tournament, where they reached the final, only to see Golden Arrows hammer six goals past them.
Captain Brett Evans is set to miss the clash as he nurses a long-standing groin problem, but he is backing his team-mates to cause an upset against the Brazilians.
"It's vital to go far in this tournament to get off to a good start in the season," he said.
"The last five weeks have been good and the guys have been working hard. We have a young squad and there are high expectations from everyone. But we are looking forward to the challenge.
"We have some new boys in the squad that the coach is excited to have on board."
Nhlanhla Shabalala is also sidelined for the encounter due to a one-match ban, but Thembinkosi Fanteni is set to make his debut for the Urban Warriors.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Ferreira is in line to face his former club for the first time since making the switch to Chloorkop.
The defender has been rocked by injuries at Sundowns, but is fully fit and hoping to break into coach Antonio Lopez's plans.
But the Spaniard has made it clear that the league title is his main priority.
"My objective is to win the league after coming so close last season, and that is the only mandate I have been given," he said
"SuperSport United are favourites because they have been champions for the past three seasons.
"But I have to win the league at all costs, and if I don't then I might have to find a new job because I would not have reached my goal for the season."
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