For inspiration, Bright and his side can look to the good form enjoyed in the last month heading up to the Christmas break, with the team showing their ability to rise to the big occasion, as was illustrated with a thrilling win over Kaizer Chiefs.
The 1-0 away win over PSL champions SuperSport United was another example of the People's Team's growing confidence and enabled them to climb up to fifth position on the league table.
The result also did Telkom Cup champions Ajax a favour by allowing them to overtake SuperSport at the top of the league standings.
With both sides showing such fantastic form of late, Wednesday night's derby should be a thrilling affair, showcasing the best talent in the Mother City.
While many of today's top derbies in the world often involve very few local born players, this is certainly not the case in the Cape derby as both club's successful youth policies mean that there will be a healthy contingent of Cape born players on the field, adding to the occasion.
In fact, judging on last season's league standings, which saw Ajax finish second and Santos third, as well as results this season, statistics show that Cape soccer is alive and healthy, despite the media's preoccupation (as well as arguably the national team selectors) with the glamour clubs up in Gauteng.
Wednesday night again provides both clubs with a great opportunity to emphasise the abundance of talented young players down in the Mother City.
The match will be coach Bright's second time he experiences the passion of the local derby, having seen Santos fight back to earn a 1-1 draw at the end of last season.
The Botswana-born coach is very much aware of just how important this game is on the local football calendar
“The Cape Town Derby is always special and once again league position and current form will count for nothing, it is who wants it the most on the night. And as before it is more than three points that are at stake, the PRIDE OF CAPE TOWN is at stake.
”Ajax Cape Town has done really well over the last few months and will be very tough to beat, but we have the players capable as we have shown in previous Derbies. The players are much focused to ensure we have a good start to 2009.”
