Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has slammed the notation that AmaZulu are underdogs going into the final of the MTN8.
The Buccaneers are putting in the final preparations before the highly anticipated clash against Usuthu to be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and Riveiro insists the clubs will be evenly matched on the day.
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"Everyone is going to the final with the same thing to lose – them and us. Exactly the same thing to lose, which is a trophy, a title," the Spaniard said.
"It's 90 minutes, eleven against eleven, so don't tell me about favourites or teams who are more hungry than the other because it's not true.
"If someone feels or thinks like that it's because they don't' know how a footballer thinks about a match like this."
For both coaches at the helm, a win in the final would mean a first trophy on South African soil.
AmaZulu will go into the final beaming with confidence having recently won their first game under new coach Romain Folz, in addition to home ground advantage.
But the Buccaneers will also be desperate to bounce back after suffering defeat to rivals Kaizer Chiefs in front of a sold-out FNB Stadium just a week before the MTN8 final.
This will be Orlando Pirates' first MTN8 final since winning it in 2020, while Usuthu last won the prestigious trophy is 1992.