Scrutinising the key battles…

As in any Derby or big match, the result can be determined by how many players win their direct battles with their opponent. For most of the derbies, we have a good idea of what the starting XIs will be. This clash is a bit more unpredictable and a shrewd

Engine room v engine room

Considering we really can’t predict the starting XI of either Chiefs or especially Pirates, we can simply churn out the accurate old adage: games are decided in the engine room. For the visitors, you’d imagine that Castillo and Maart are certain starters. The latter has scored a famous winner in this fixture and also lost his cool in the last derby match. Castillo has not been scoring as often of late, but we’re still seeing him arrive in the box. The identity of the third midfielder is where the doubt comes in. Will Johnson play it safe and add some muscle and aggression in the shape of “Ox” Mthethwa? Will Nkosingiphile Ngcobo be handed a recall after some quiet outings and being dropped against Swallows? Or will Amakhosi’s highest earner in Keagan Dolly be asked to earn his wages by dictating affairs from the number 10 role?

For Pirates, Miguel Timm has been excellent this season prior to his red card against Downs. We know Monare is now a fringe player, whilst Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was nowhere to be seen against Polokwane City having regularly partnered Timm in the weeks leading up to the mid-season break. Then we have Makhehlene Makhaula, who has suddenly started three successive matches having only tasted four brief substitute outings this term before that! We also have Thalente Mbatha, who was only given 197 minutes by Gavin Hunt at SuperSport United up until January (including in a wide right role) but has since played two full games for Pirates in a deeper role, benefitting from Timm’s suspension. Against Polokwane, he had 68 touches, made a game-high 13 passes into the final third, won three tackles and set up two chances. His passing range is impressive and it might be worth handing him a chance to earn a permanent move as he is currently only on loan from Matsatsantsa!

Alongside two of Timm, Makhaula, Mbatha and Ndlondlo will be a number 10, probably Karim Kimvuidi. Patrick Maswanganyi will also play narrow and occupy the right half-space, so Chiefs could be overrun at times. Maybe it’s the sensible thing to play Mthethwa as an extra destroyer in this one!

Makgopa v Msimango

With the uncertainty for the Naturena-based side at the back, Given Msimango is going to need to channel all of his leadership qualities for this derby. If Kwinika moves inside and either Solomons or Frosler play at right back, it will mean two changes to the back four, one either side of the former TS Galaxy captain.

For all his elegance and ball-playing ability, Msimango will find himself up against an all-round threat in Makgopa.

The former Baroka FC striker had to wait 15 months to finally get a start for the Buccaneers back in October. Riveiro praised the lanky forward’s professionalism and predicted back then that a run of starts would lead to an increased level. The Spaniard said, “Due to his conditions and his age, he’s a player that can only improve. He will only improve in the next months. Obviously if he manages to play frequently, his improvement is going to be more evident for everybody.” Makgopa may only have scored once at the Afcon, but he won a penalty against Mali and assisted a goal against Namibia. On his full debut against Spurs, he teed up Kermit Erasmus to score and also won a penalty. He is currently on a run of 16 successive starts with five goals scored in that run.

Hotto v Saile

The left back position for Pirates is an interesting area. Deon Hotto initially began playing there almost permanently at the start of this campaign. Innocent Maela has been struggling with injuries and Paseka Mako went down with a long-term problem not long after he had received a Bafana Bafana call-up. After excelling as an inverted right winger for Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations, Hotto played further forward against Sundowns last month. He has since reverted to the fullback role, albeit with an incredible amount of attacking licence. At times against Polokwane City, we saw him getting into the box. When Makgopa lashed a chance wide before the hour mark, it was Hotto in the centre-forward position.

For Chiefs, they are going to have to come up with a game plan to deal with the positions that Hotto takes up. Inversely, they will surely spend a couple of sessions this week on how to counter-attack into the right channel which Hotto is so eager to vacate! We don’t know yet who will play down their right, but it surely won’t be Du Preez tasked with that role. It would be a waste of his talents to have him tracking back instead of being the number nine for this derby. Saile may be recalled on that right wing and will have to show great energy to get back against Hotto and then immediately travel 50 yards to launch counterattacks. It’s the age-old cat and mouse battle on that flank.

Bucs have a Plan B & the better bench!

If we look deeply at the two squads, few would argue against Pirates having more depth and better options in attack. Whilst Chiefs struggle to find a number nine to score goals, their rivals have Makgopa on five goals, Lepasa on 10 goals and now have arguably the PSL’s best natural finisher available again in Tshegofatso Mabasa. He was thrown on alongside Makgopa against Polokwane City and the side immediately scored. Should they be trailing in this match, Riveiro now has a nice Plan B to turn to.

Aside from that, there are creative players like Lesedi Kapinga, Monnapule Saleng, Vincent Pule and even Erasmus to call upon, whilst Katlego Otladisa can make something happen. For Amakhosi, Tebogo Potsane is out of favour and carrying a knock, Jasond Gonzalez hasn’t featured since the mid-season break and there has been a slight drop in Mduduzi Shabalala’s effectiveness since Johnson started using him wide. Basically, the team can barely decide a coherent front four to start matches, never mind having good impact subs to turn a result. In this area, there is no doubt Pirates have more aces up their sleeve.

Let the kids play!

Considering that this isn’t one of the more consequential derbies of recent times, wouldn’t it be great to see the two coaches give their trust to some younger players? Pirates didn’t use Relebohile Mofokeng against Sundowns at all, so let’s hope Riveiro gives him a start down the left wing in the derby. We’ve spoken about Mbatha potentially starting the match, whilst the Glamour Boys have a number of younger legs to consider.

Wandile Duba came on in the 56th minute against Swallows having not really been involved this season. It would be a good opportunity to at least give him a long runout from the bench in this clash, having scored the winner against Arrows in midweek, which should be a great confidence booster for the youngster heading to the derby. Mfundo Vilakazi is making quite the name for himself in the DStv Diski Challenge and was impressive for the Carling Black Label Cup All Stars XI against Stellenbosch FC. Starting him against Pirates may be a bit premature, but some minutes in the second half would be something for the fans to enjoy. Even at left back, Happy Mashiane may be far from a youngster now, but he is eight years younger than Hlanti. The lanky left back was suspended against Milford FC and didn’t get recalled against his former club Swallows last Saturday. Johnson could play it safe with the veteran in his XI or go with Mashiane instead. He could also throw Fleurs in the deep-end, give Samkelo Zwane some minutes or play Shabalala instead of Dolly!