Thriller on the cards in Soweto derby

Kaizer Chiefs might be in top form, but the Soweto derby is a whole different ball-game and it can be anybody’s game on the day, says Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands (right).

The Buccaneers take on Amakhosi in what is anticipated to be a thriller of a clash in the quarterfinal of the Telkom Knockout at the Moses Mabhida Stadium this afternoon.

Going into this game, Pirates haven’t been at their best, while Chiefs have been enjoying some fine form, so much so that many might consider them favourites to progress.

“I guess it’s a matter of opinion on how you look at sport, or how you look at matches. Does form play a part or do you look at it on one particular day and whoever shows up or performs well stands more chance of getting a victory?

“It depends on how you look at it, if you look at it in terms of form Chiefs are in a good space. And I’m sure as a collective they feel good about themselves due to all the facts that we have mentioned, whether they have been scoring or conceding or they have been winning in their last seven games,” said the Bucs goalkeeper.

“One might say when you look at form you can earmark them as favourites, but again, on the derby day everybody is emotional, everybody will be up for it and anything can happen.

“For us as players, we have had good training sessions, we have a plan, we have strategies and we just have to focus on implementing that and hoping that individuals come to the party and we get a good result.”

Looking at their previous games though, both sides come into this tie in contrasting form, with Pirates nevertheless beating Highlands Park, while Chiefs edged Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the Premiership.

And knowing that bragging rights are at stake, Sandilands added that they will treat this game just like any other and they will be focusing on getting more positive results.

“We just treating it as any other match and as an opportunity and a challenge. We have been discussing as a group to focus on ourselves right now. We know what we are capable of, so if we can focus on our strengths and what we are good at then we stand a good chance.”