No one knows what to expect from the Soweto Glamour Boys when they take the field. One month they are superb, picking up vital points in every game and Muhsin Ertugral being awarded coach of the month for January, but then the next month they fumble, losing crucial games to teams like Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United.

The Amakhosi have bundles of quality players who should make a victory against Free State a formality; the likes of Tinashe Nengomasha and Siphiwe Tshabalala control the heart of midfield while attackers like Jose Torrealba, Kaizer Motaung Jr and Abia Nale provide numerous threats upfront.

The only real let down for the Soweto giants this season has been their defence, which many have considered disappointing especially after boasting the best record in the 2007/08 season, only conceding a total of 20 goals in the entire Premiership season.

Chiefs will certainly be full of confidence ahead of their clash this coming Sunday as they are going into the game off the back of a difficult 1-0 away victory to Golden Arrows in their last match. Tshabalala was the hero on the day as he grabbed the game’s only goal.

Ertugral’s side will further be boosted by the fact that in their short history against Ea Lla Koto they have only lost two matches out of 20. They have, however, only played Stars twice in a cup competition when they competed in a two-legged first round Rothmans Cup tie in the 1998/99 season. Chiefs managed a 2-0 win in the first leg and suffered a 2-1 defeat in the second, eventually going through on aggregate 3-2.

Despite statistics going in favour of the Amakhosi, they will still have to be wary of Free State, who at times can be devastating as they have already showed in the Absa Premiership this season, thrashing current league leaders and defending champions SuperSport United 4-1.

Furthermore, the last time the two teams faced each other was earlier in the season and on that day Stars walked away victorious by two goals to nil. Chiefs will certainly be looking for revenge come Sunday and with their good history in cup competitions they will certainly be deemed the firm favourites.

Chiefs will look to this competition with keen eyes, as it is another chance to add silverware to their already prestigious trophy cabinet, especially after they went out in the Last 16 round in the 2008 Nedbank Cup, losing to Mameldoi Sundowns on penalties. They will have to take it one step at a time but they are definitely capable of going all the way.