South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs will be aiming to take one step closer towards clinching continental success in the CAF Champions League quarter-final stage on Saturday.
In knockout football, form tends to go out the window and both teams will be setting their sights on making a statement of intent in their respective first-leg ties this weekend.
Both teams kick off the knockout stage with a clean slate despite their very different passage to the last eight of the competition.
Mamelodi Sundowns, reigning PSL champions and perhaps the in-form side of the competition, have sauntered through the group stages off the back of some impressive footballing displays.
For Kaizer Chiefs on the other hand, it has been an unpredictably rocky path to the quarter-finals under the stewardship of Gavin Hunt to go alongside their indifferent domestic form.
The knockout stages now give both teams - despite their differing narratives - a realistic shot at continental success and the prospect of enhancing South Africa's reputation in Africa.
How the mighty Kaizer Chiefs have fallen
The Soweto giants - who find themselves languishing in 10th position in the PSL standings - have suffered through an indifferent 2020/2021 campaign under Hunt in his maiden season in charge.
A disgruntled Hunt has found himself as a tiny sailboat caught up in the perfect storm of an exceptionally rare combination of circumstances comprising of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, currently serving a debilitating transfer ban and an under-performing squad.
The pandemic resulted in an impossibly shortened pre-season, followed immediately by a congested fixture schedule, resulting in Hunt being unable to impart his philosophy onto an already overrun squad ravaged by injury.
Then the transfer ban seen Hunt having to navigate the season with both hands tied behind his back after being unable to improve the squad with his own players.
A squad that narrowly missed out on the league title last season has been left demoralised and lacking in confidence after having little to no time to mentally get over last season's hangover.
Added to this is that Chiefs seem to be a ship seeping in water with increasing concerns into how the club is being run by the Motaung family.
Despite this, the CAF Champions League now gives Hunt's side a much-needed chance at salvaging something from what has been a disappointing season.
Chiefs are set to welcome Tanzanian side, Simba SC to FNB Stadium on Saturday and will be targeting a convincing win to be firmly in the driving seat for a place in the last four.
Sky is the limit for Sundowns
Like their compatriots, Sundowns too have undergone a managerial change at the beginning of this season, but that's about where the similarities in form and performances end.
Where Chiefs decided to move forward in singular form by appointing the vastly experienced Hunt, Sundowns came up with their own unique take on "trappe van vergelyking" and appointed three coaches.
Former assistants, Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena were promoted as co-head coaches with experienced campaigner Steve Komphela joining as a senior coach.
The unconventional appointment has provided healthy dividends for Masandawana who have needed no transitional adaption period and instead have looked better than ever.
Sundowns seem favourites to not only lift yet another domestic crown, but also a second coveted continental trophy.
The Chloorkop-based outfit have raced towards their fourth consecutive PSL title while also having breezed to the CAF Champions League knockout stages with a formidable swagger.
Under Mngqithi as the proclaimed "leader" alongside student of the game, Mokwena, Sundowns have produced some of the best football seen on the continent.
With the well-respected Komphela adding his valued weight of experience in the decision making process, Sundowns have even won off the field too during the off-season.
The past transfer market has been perhaps their most productive one yet with all new additions hitting the ground running.
Striker, Peter Shalulile in his first season at the club, has developed into one of the best in Africa.
Striking partner, Kermit Erasmus has struck up perhaps the best partnership in the league with the Namibian as part of an already formidable attack.
In the defensive department, Rushine de Reuck has quickly developed into the best central defender in the country as Rivaldo Coetzee, converted into a holding midfielder, has been the stand-out player in the PSL.
Sundowns will now be aiming to solidify their position as not only the best team in South Africa, but Africa.
They face a familiar opponent in former head coach Pitso Mosimane and his Al Ahly side and the defending champions will look to lay down a marker with a win in Cairo.
What the coaches said: Gavin Hunt
What the coaches said: Rhulani Mokwena
What the coaches said: Pitso Mosimane
Player to watch: Kaizer Chiefs
Daniel Cardoso
The Kaizer Chiefs defence as a collective probably has the most important role to play in Saturday's clash. While Chiefs have been misfiring in attack of late, it is vitally important that they do not concede away goals and allow their opponents to take hold of the tie. Hunt will be hoping that his inconsistent defence can put in a solid performance to give themselves a chance at advancing to the next round. Cardoso will form an important part of this.
Player to watch: Sundowns
Peter Shalulile
For Sundowns, it is the polar opposite as they will be aiming to register an away goal or even goals to put themselves in the driving seat for the return leg at home. This is where the technical team will be hoping that the Namibian can continue his devastating form to fire Sundowns into the semi-finals.