The one considered “the final before the final” was a clash between rivals Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs given the intense rivalry between the two clubs especially in cup matches. While it would be folly to try and predict the ultimate winner, there is one certainty in that there will be no Chiefs or Sundowns in that final.

Chiefs were knocked out in the second round after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat against Ajax Cape Town while Sundowns went down 2-1 to first division side Bloemfontein Celtic in last year’s quarterfinals.

Supporters of the two will not be alone in mourning should the fail to clear the first huddle. Defending league champions Orlando Pirates drew unpredictable Black Leopards but the Buccaneers should take heart in that they have been spared the long arduous trip Limpopo as they have home ground advantage.

Last year’s finalists Ajax Cape Town will be at home to fellow Premiership rivals Dynamos while struggling Hellenic will have home advantage when they host Moroka Swallows.

The Absa Cup - still in its infancy - has never been short of drama and a fair share of surprises. Pirates were booted out in the first round by rookies Silver Stars in what was to be the shock result of the tournament.

Stars went all the way to the quarterfinals where Jomo Cosmos edged them out after going to sleep in the 90th minute allowing Bafana star Teboho Mokoena to break the 1-1 deadlock.

Santos and Ajax also surprised many as they went all the way to the final with Santos crowned the eventual winners at Athlone Stadium - the first time a major cup final had been staged outside the Gauteng region. The final itself was not short of fireworks and perhaps it is safe to say the Santos win over their Cape neighbours added to the list of surprises.

This year is sure to produce many other surprises and the introduction of two new prizes - Absa Platinum Player of the Tournament and Hat-trick Award, both to the value of R33 333.33 - will add to the excitement.

The first round gets underway of the weekend of February 25 but dates and venues are yet to be announced but Sundowns will have home ground advantage. The clash pits together Ted Dumitru and Paul Dolezar who have at some stage coached either side.

Dolezar twice beat Sundowns in the Rothmans Cup while at Chiefs but he is faced with a difficult task as he comes up against a side currently in contention for league honours while his own club are fighting hard to beat the drop and qualify for the Supa Eight.

Amakhosi communications manager Putco Mafani appeared calm and relaxed when the draw was announced in Johannesburg on Sunday. "We have a good draw," he said. "And perhaps it's a blessing in disguise that we will be playing them in Pretoria. This will be a final in the Last 32."

But Mafani's counter-part Alex Shakoane appeared more worried. "Sundowns is not an ordinary side," he said. "But I am more worried in that we are going to have a final without Sundowns or Chiefs."

SuperSport United - who have had a bag of mixed fortunes in their Premier League campaign - will be away to first division side Alexandra United while Jomo Cosmos will be at University of Pretoria.

The winner will take home R1.5 million while the losers will pocket R900 000.

Full Draw

Classic vs Bafana's FC


Durban Stars vs R&B 54


Wits vs Gesane Arsenal


FC Fortune vs Manning Rangers


Louisville Pirates vs Zulu Royals


Orlando Pirates vs Black Leopards


Ajax Cape Town vs Dynamos


Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs


Santos vs Steenberg


University of Pretoria vs Jomo Cosmos


Dangerous Darkies vs Golden Arrows


Mabopane Young Masters vs Roses United


Alexandra United vs SuperSport United


Silver Stars vs Uthukela


Tornado vs Maritzburg City


Hellenic vs Moroka Swallows