Chiefs want to end five years of hurt
Orlando Pirates have held the bragging rights over their neighbours since 2014
KAIZER Chiefs will be out to end their barren run against their sworn rivals, Orlando Pirates, when these two Soweto giants meet in the Soweto Derby on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
Amakhosi have forgotten what it is like to triumph in the derby. They haven’t beaten the Buccaneers in the past eleven meetings between the teams, and haven’t tasted success in the derby for the past five years.
Last year they succumbed to three derby defeats, having been shot down twice in the league and being bundled out of the Telkom Knockout by Pirates in the quarterfinals.
Pirates were on red hot form last season against Chiefs, and having the bragging rights of reigning supreme in three Soweto derbies is not child’s play.
The last time Chiefs got the better of Pirates was back in 2014, and Amakhosi have suffered five defeats and drawn six games in their last eleven encounters against the Buccaneers.
Ernst Middendorp’s side will be looking to change their fortunes on Saturday and get back to winning ways against the Sea Robbers. It won’t be easy though, without the services of the injured Itumeleng Khune between the sticks.
Virgil Vries has really struggled since taking over the reins from Khune, and his errors – Vries committed blunders against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City – cost Amakhosi both games and six valuable points, which forced the management to go out and sign Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United.
The Nigerian is expected to be handed his debut on Saturday.
Pirates will be looking to capitalise on Chiefs’ frailties at the back, especially in their goalkeeping department.
In-form Pirates strikers Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga will be motivated going into what should be a mouthwatering clash against Amakhosi.
Pirates are unbeaten in their last 14 league matches, and are currently second on the log, five points behind the leaders, Bidvest Wits.
The Clever Boys extended their lead on Friday after sweeping past Maritzburg United at Bidvest Stadium.
Pirates are under pressure to close the gap and keep their unbeaten run intact in the league.
They will fancy themselves against Amakhosi, as Pirates have turn Chiefs into their punching bag over the past couple of years, and this season have already beaten them in the League and Telkom Knockout.
But Pirates have already lost out on the Nedbank Cup, Telkom Knockout and MTN8, and their only hope of winning silverware on the domestic front is in the league, though they are in good form in the CAF Champions League.
It’s been a while since the Bucanneers lifted the league title. The last time they laid their hands on the trophy was under the tutelage of Augusto Palacios in 2010/11.
Having dropped points at home against Baroka recently, they will be eager to collect the maximum points against Chiefs and close the gap between themselves and Wits.
Pirates are one game behind Wits but they are well experienced and know that games in hands are not points attained. They still need to go in to the pitch and earn maximum points
Will Pirates continue with their dominance, or will Chiefs end their barren run? Come Saturday all these questions will be answered.