Bucs aiming to end 15-year wait!

Cavin audition

Amakhosi don’t really have excuses going into this game. They get an extra day of rest compared to Pirates because they play on Tuesday. Only the two absentees in defence are really affecting them and Bucs lost one of their most consistent derby performers in Thembinkosi Lorch in the January transfer window. Johnson is basically undergoing an audition in this game to decide whether he will be cast in the role of head coach next season. Supporting Chiefs is a bit like a Hollywood movie at times, so this metaphor works well. Anything besides a win for him and the supporters won’t be giving their backing to the former Platinum Stars mentor for the gig in the long-term.

Mistakes cost games

If we look at recent clashes between these sides, it is so often a defensive howler which settles the result. We’ve seen Ndah foul Khama Billiat for a late penalty, we’ve seen a loose Thulani Hlatshwayo back-pass lead to a goal, we’ve seen Ndah score an own goal over his own goalkeeper’s head, we’ve seen Maela red-carded for cutting down Saile and we’ve enjoyed Maart scoring from 55 yards over the head of Mpontshane. Most of the mistakes in this derby over the last few years have been committed by Pirates players. If they can just keep things safe and secure, and not beat themselves, they can make history…

Double trouble

There is the small matter of Bucs potentially doing the league double over Chiefs. We know they’ve won the last two derbies in the Nedbank Cup and in the league, having been beaten five times in a row by Amakhosi before that. But, you have to go back all the way to the 2008/09 season to find the last time that Pirates won two league fixtures against their Soweto rivals in the same season. Ruud Krol was the coach back then, and this rare honour should prove a major motivator for both Riveiro and the Sea Robbers’ squad!