Kermit Erasmus of Orlando Pirates battles with Erick Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs
Its Soweto derby time in the PSL this weekend. It’s sure to be a high-paced affair with both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates going all out for the win. By beating Esperance to reach the CAF Champions League final, Pirates have shown they can go toe-to-toe with some of the best teams on the African continent.
Roger de Sa’s team will be buzzing with confidence ahead of this clash. Chiefs are likely to still be hurting after losing out over two legs to Bucs in the MTN8 semi-finals. The league champions are sure to want some revenge against their fierce rivals.
Chiefs have had an inconsistent start to their title defence with just three wins out of their six matches, drawing twice and losing to log leaders at the time of writing, SuperSport United. They are still with the leading pack at the top of the table and three points in this match is important to stay within touching distance of the likes of SuperSport and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In Chiefs’ last match at the weekend they advanced to the Telkom Knockout semi-finals after grabbing a late equaliser and then shading hosts Free State Stars in a penalty shoot-out in tough wet conditions. The full time score was 1-1 and Chiefs won 4-2 in the post-match shoot-out after skipper Itumeleng Khune saved Stars’ first two kicks and Amakhosi converted all their efforts. Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona is doubtful for the derby after sustaining a suspected dislocated shoulder in Free State. The Zimbabwean, who has netted four goals this season, landed awkwardly after netting the late goal with a diving header. Another key player Siphiwe Tshabalala is also doubtful, with a swollen ankle.
Orlando Pirates may have returned home to a hero’s welcome on Monday after booking their place in the CAF Champions League final, but there was no time for rest as a tough Telkom Knockout date against Golden Arrows awaited them on Wednesday and the Soweto Derby approaching on Saturday. Their place in the final was secured thanks to a 1-1 draw with Esperance, progressing on the away goals rule due to a 0-0 draw in Orlando for the first leg. They will now play Al Ahly in the final over two legs.
The first leg will be played on the first weekend of November at home followed by the second away leg. The Sea Robbers will be looking to sharpen their blunt attack, which has been dry thus season, especially in their two league matches, managing just one goal. Kermit Erasmus is expected to start after missing Pirates’ Telkom Knockout match when going on International duty and also their Champions League matches as he is cup tied from participating in the CAF Confederations Cup with SuperSport before moving to Pirates. He troubled Chiefs in the MTN8 last month and he will give the Pirates attack the much needed spark they need against a tight Chiefs defence.
On the team front, Siyabonga Sangweni is out with an Achilles injury, but midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo has returned from a foot problem that forced him out of the Champions League game in Tunis. Pirates have to play catch up in the league having played five games less than most of the teams. They started their league campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat against AmaZulu and then bounced back with a 1-0 win over newcomers Polokwane City.
The game will be as highly anticipated as this derby comes as the previous meeting in the MTN8 was a thrilling encounter characterised by hard-hitting tackles and end-to-end action. Pirates won that first leg 1-0 and then came back to earn a draw in the second. Pirates are on a high and will prove a tough team to beat for anyone this season. The Buccaneers are tipped to continue on their recent success with a win against their rivals.
