Barker's side beat Usuthu all three times they met them last season across all competitions, and even gave them a 5-0 hiding in January this year in a league game.

Barker acknowledged that Arthur Zwane has made a few additions to the team in the off season, and they cannot underestimate them.

"Yeah look I think it's a new season, they've made a couple of changes to their squad, so one can't go on the past. Yes, we did have good joy against them but that doesn't guarantee anything so it's just doing what we do well,” Barker said.

“Making sure that we play to our full potential, it is our home game, so therefore it's our responsibility to get the win. We prepared well and the past is the past, we look forward to a new season, new challenges and we're looking forward to the challenge."

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Barker and his team have carried the pain of losing the final in last year's decider to Orlando Pirates, where they conceded two late goals to lose 3-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Barker says that made them want to win the cup even more.

"Yeah I think it was hurtful in a manner that we lost in the final. I think we were really proud to make the final and I thought we gave a good account of ourselves throughout the match,” the coach added.

“It was very painful to lose the final and I think that pain has driven us to get ourselves in the final in the MTN8 and try to go all the way this time. But we're also very mindful of the strong opposition that we have to overcome on Sunday, AmaZulu but we are determined to be the last team standing in the MTN8."

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