Soweto derby: stage set for crunch clash between Pirates and Chiefs at FNB Stadium

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandNkosinathi Sibisi and Abdeslam Ouaddou of Orlando Pirates and Fernando Da Cruz and Brandon Petersen of Kaizer Chiefs before the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs go head-to-head in the anticipated 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, where there will be no love lost between the two giants.

Betway Premiership champions Pirates are involved in a battle with Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log as early pace setters, and they don’t want to slip up in the race.

The Buccaneers are on a good run with six successive league wins against Chippa United, Sekhukhune United, Kruger United, Durban City, Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy.

During this productive period, Pirates’ attackers and defence have been highly impressive, with a return of 16 goals, while goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is yet to pick up the ball in the back of the net.

The impressive Chaine, who is the reigning goalkeeper of the season, will give some credit for his clean sheets to the watertight defence.

Pirates supporter Bongani 'Chairman' Ngcobo would like to see Thalente Mbatha, Thapelo Mokobodi and Simphiwe Masilela in the midfield during the Soweto derby. #PrimeSportsWithMahlatseTV pic.twitter.com/YzbAo07uKU

In front of Chaine, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has used Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Sbangani Zulu, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosikhona Ndaba and Bulelani Sigomoshe in different matches.

Pirates are the only team to have won their past five successive matches in the league, but Ouaddou has often criticised the players for not punishing teams when they had them against the wall.

Captain Sibisi said Ouaddou is misinterpreted.

“The coach has been misinterpreted because he demands excellence, and good is not enough,” said Sibisi.

“For a club like Pirates, excellence always has to prevail, and the boys take it [coach’s criticism] in a positive manner. We know we should have scored more goals in our last match in the Carling Knockout Cup against Milford FC.

“His demands on the players speak to his character, and we shouldn’t be satisfied with only scoring three goals when we could have scored more than that.

“That should be our mentality, and the boys are taking it in a positive manner.”

For Chiefs, their past six results were disappointing with five draws against Stellenbosch FC, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City, Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns and a win over Siwelele FC.

This has left Amakhosi in fourth spot on the standings and nine points adrift of log leaders Sundowns, who host Durban City in Rustenburg on Saturday evening, as the season gains momentum.

Midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi said their cup win over TS Galaxy is the right tonic they needed going into the derby.

Former Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi on the pressure of playing in the Soweto derby. WATCH latest episode of Arena Sports Show ➡️➡️➡️https://t.co/h11CoHFXTv pic.twitter.com/6OhxaEAt61

“In this game, you don’t need motivation because of the high demands. The Carling Knockout Cup win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday has boosted our confidence.

“We have been playing well since the beginning of the season but not scoring enough goals. In our last game against TS Galaxy, we managed to score three goals, and that is good for our confidence.”

The three goals were scored by striker Wandile Duba, and he is going to be closely monitored by Pirates defenders on Saturday.

Vilakazi added that younger players such as Mduduzi Shabalala, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Luke Baartman and Duba are going to thrive if given opportunities.

“Even though we are young, we must help the team, and the good thing is that the coach trusts us. We must repay him by creating chances and scoring goals.

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