The six-time winners of the lucrative cup competition won the DStv Premiership for a seventh successive time with six games to spare, with a 5-1 demolition of Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday night.
A win at the Danie Craven Stadium this weekend would also be some consolation for their recent semi-final exit from the Caf Champions League to Tunisian giants Esperance.
However, Downs have the African Football League in the bag and after clinching a seventh league title – the club are now focusing on adding another trophy to their cabinet.
It was Stellies who knocked Sundowns out of the Nedbank Cup last season in the quarter-finals, before being knocked out by losing finalists Sekhukhune United.
An impressive-Stellenbosch side have been the Brazilians’ closest league rivals, some way down in second place, where they are still fighting to secure their spot ahead of an ever-encroaching Orlando Pirates.
The Cape Winelands club are on a mammoth 25-game unbeaten run and have already tasted cup success this season, when they lifted the Carling Knockout Cup this season for their first ever top-flight trophy.
When asked about his side’s determination to win the Nedbank Cup, Stellies boss Steve Barker said on Goal: “I think it is the first time as a club competing in all fronts, so we want to do well in the league and finish in that position two.
“It is in our minds to reach the final of the Nedbank Cup. I think, fortunately, we will play on Sunday. It’s an extra recovery day and we have three days to fully recover, Sundowns had a match last night against Chiefs.”
“To see the attacking players week-in and week-out keep getting on the score sheet is amazing. I think that’s the reason we are a difficult team to play against currently,” said Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena.
The Masandawana mentor was on a high after lifting the DStv Premiership and praised his unbeaten team.
“This is a special squad – the Incredibles. We may not see their likes again in South Africa for a very long time. I also want to praise the ‘Yellow Nation’ (Sundowns supporters). They are amazing men, women, teenagers and children. I am humbled by the support they give me,” said Mokwena on SuperSport TV.
The Brazilians boss has previously admitted his desire to win all trophies on offer but conceded that his side don’t have a right to win every competition they enter.
“That’s the problem, everything is expected, when you do good, it’s expected, we don’t congratulate and pat [backs], that’s the biggest problem but, okay, I don’t think it changes anything, to be honest between me and you,” Mokwena said recently.
Stellies will host Downs at the Danie Craven Stadium this Sunday, kick-off is at 15:00.
Once upon a time.📸 #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/zcISxltoDf
— Nedbank Sport (@nedbanksport) May 2, 2024
