Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will contest the Soweto derby this Saturday at a sold out 89000 capacity crowd Soccer City Stadium. The most anticipated fixture in the PSL is even more mouth-watering this time as it’s a top of the table clash with Chiefs just one point ahead of Pirates at the time of writing this article with both teams still to play their midweek fixtures.
Respective coaches Roger de Sa of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs’ Stuart Baxter will take charge of their first Soweto derbies. It is a mark of the effect the two coaches have had on their in-form teams, who occupy first and second place in the league after 12 matches, that this has been one of the most talked-about derbies in recent seasons.
The Buccaneers with their doggedness and fluidity, not to mention their quicksilver wingers, have been a marvel to watch so far this season as has been Amakhosi’s grit and resolution, which they so lacked last season. The fact that the Buccaneers have overcome their early season lethargy while Chiefs appear to have finally turned into a genuine league title contender combines all the ingredients needed for a delectable feast on Saturday.
Defending champions Orlando Pirates reduced Kaizer Chiefs’ lead on the table to just one point following the Buccaneers’ 2-0 victory over Wits at Orlando Stadium. Defender Thabo Matlaba’s first half rocket just outside the centre circle and Tlou Segolela’s intelligent chip ensured victory for Pirates. Siyabonga Sangweni’s return from injury proved vital for Pirates as the defender played a key role in central defence, keeping the menacing Calvin Kadi at bay. The Buccaneers had a mediocre start to the season under Augusto Palacios, who was demoted from head coach after a 3-0 home defeat against Moroka Swallows for ‘helath reasons’. De Sa and his assistant, Eric Tinkler, have steered Bucs to breathing space behind Chiefs. The pair have overseen just one defeat and one draw, with seven wins in nine matches. In their last four games Pirates have won 2-0 against Bidvest Wits, 4-0 against Black Leopards, 1-0 against Free State Stars and 3-1 against Mamelodi Sundowns to pile the pressure on Chiefs. Striker Benni McCarthy has declared himself fit for action after sitting out the last two months with a hamstring strain. Bafana’s all-time record goalscorer returned to action last week in a friendly match against Moroka Swallows, and the 35-year old is now looking forward to making his PSL comeback in the Soweto derby. One blow for Pirates will be the absence of midfield general Andile Jali.
Amakhosi lost their terrific 12-game unbeaten record start to the league campaign last week, with the Glamour Boys slumping to a 2-0 defeat to Platinum Stars. Chiefs have been lauded for their pace and high tempo this season with their strikers doing the job in front of goal. Lehlohonolo Majoro taking over from Kingston Nkatha in front of goals to be on a par with Bernard Parker as joint leading goalscorer with seven goals apiece has largely been the secret behind Chiefs’ recent successes. They have played six matches at Soccer City this season winning five.
For once the draw seems the least likely in this encounter with both Chiefs and Pirates scoring the most goals in the league respectively. Chiefs are tipped to nip the win with both teams to score tipped confidently.
