The 24-year-old seems to be on his way back to top form following his impressive performances in recent games. This follows some struggle for regular game time and failing to influence games after moving to Chloorkop from Stellenbosch FC a year ago.

The draw complicates Masandawana's dream of reaching the last eight and puts more pressure on head coach Miguel Cardoso. This was the third straight match where Downs dropped points after a defeat and a draw against Al Hilal in the previous two games. Should the Pretoria giants fail to advance, they will be considered architects of their own downfall, given the inconsistency in performance that they have shown.

After a disappointing show in the CAF Champions League, Masandawana now focus on a domestic tournament. On paper, it is easy to predict a win for the Pretoria giants, but upsets always have a way of writing themselves in such encounters. This is a cup that has eluded the Premier Soccer League giants for some time now, and Downs would be keen to end the poor run that has stretched for three seasons.

Masandawana’s depth is the envy of the continent - a squad stacked with internationals, specialists and system players built for dominance across competitions. But that strength comes with a cost: talented footballers slipping down the pecking order, roles shrinking, confidence fading and careers stalling under the weight of relentless competition in a team designed to win everything.

When the Belgian announced his 23-man squad headed to Morocco for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], there were some surprises. The 73-year-old tactician left tongues wagging with some of his choices, leaving out some big names and experienced campaigners. Broos also included a couple of youngsters, some of whom will be in the senior national team setup for the very first time.