Decisive derby duels

Du Preez v Shandu/Monyane: On your bike, get set…

On Kaizer Chiefs’ left, Ashley Du Preez looks a certain starter. What he brings to the table is well known: he is lightning fast, is dangerous when passes are slipped down the side for him and he can attack space behind the opposition back four. When fit, he has started almost every match and has played down both flanks and only occasionally spent time through the middle. His return so far is five goals from 19 appearances, averaging a strike every 315 minutes of pitch time. His finishes have usually been from little balls down the outside of the centre-backs, as George Matlou played for him against TS Galaxy, or the low Christian Saile cross which he burst onto to finish against Royal AM. His impact in deeper areas or with build-up play isn’t always as good, although he put in one lovely delivery to set up a clear Keagan Dolly chance against Mamelodi Sundowns recently.

For Orlando Pirates, it’ll be either Bandile Shandu or Thabiso Monyane at right back. They are very similar players in that they are converted fullbacks having played further forward initially. Both are fast, make direct runs into space and very adventurous in the positions they take up. That means that they will test Du Preez’s defensive desire and concentration on switches of play. But they will also leave a lot of space behind them on the break. Olisa Ndah showed himself to be excellent at covering that channel behind his right back, but Tapelo Xoki isn’t quite as adept when defending in the wider areas. Like always, this is the cat and mouse battle you see between a wide forward (who would probably rather be playing as a striker) and an attacking fullback, who may prefer to be playing as a winger or wingback with fewer defensive responsibilities! When the ball is on the far side, Bucs’ right back will need to be hyper aware of Du Preez’s burst into scoring positions and any ball-watching could prove fatal. The Amakhosi speedster profited from a similar scenario in the Carling Black Label Cup in November last year, scoring past Siyabonga Mpontshane, only to be incorrectly ruled offside. Bucs better watch out.

Hlanti v Saleng: Catch me if you can!

Prior to the first derby in October 2022, this was also highlighted as a key battle by Soccer Laduma and for obvious reasons. Monnapule Saleng is on fire right now and is consistently producing match-winning moments, usually from the right flank. The Buccaneers have the option to move him to the left, of course, where he was such a threat in the Carling Black Label Cup, but he is at his most deadly cutting inside onto his left foot. Going into the first derby, the 24-year-old had only made six appearances for the coach Jose Riveiro’s side and was very much a wildcard. He is now established as perhaps their key attacker with his eye for goal and excellent final ball. In just 16 appearances this season, he has netted nine goals and provided four assists. It says on the Pirates official website that Saleng grew up idolising Dutch winger Arjen Robben and that is no surprise as both players are deadly when cutting 90 degrees inside and whipping shots into the top side of the goal.

For Amakhosi, Sifiso Hlanti faces a very tough challenge. He is not as young as he used to be and we saw him being beaten for skill and pace against Golden Arrows by Ntsako Makhubela for the third goal. If the Glamour Boys leave the 32-year-old isolated, especially in transition moments or on counter-attacks, then he will have a very tough time against Saleng, who can also go down the outside and deliver crosses on his weaker foot, as Aubrey Modiba can attest to! However, in the first derby of the season, Saleng didn’t get the better of Hlanti and was having little effect on the right, so Riveiro shifted him to the left at half-time. The reason for that was Njabulo Blom, who constantly came across to block the space inside Hlanti and stop Saleng cutting in-field as he loves doing. Over those 90 minutes, he only completed two of his seven dribble attempts and had just one shot attempt, a fourth-minute chance which Brandon Petersen smothered well. Without Blom, Saleng could run riot, unless Siyethemba Sithebe can replicate the job done by the departed destroyer that day. One thing to look at is the fact that six of Saleng’s goals have come from low passes into the area or cutbacks where he gets around the penalty spot, finds space and fires home. Only two of his goals have been the trademark “Arjen Robben” finish.

Where Saleng’s nine goals were scored from

Maart v Ndlondlo: Industry v dynamism

In the previous league Soweto Derby, Yusuf Maart v Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was billed as a key battle due to the fact that the latter was expected to play as a number 10 and test Maart’s defensive nous. It didn’t really work out like that as Bucs’ 4-4-2 shape meant too little threat between the lines and therefore Blom was able to move out to the left to engage Saleng; Maart wasn’t overly tested. The winning goal came from what was described as an error by Ndlondlo, although it later turned out it should have been adjudged as a foul on the Sea Robbers midfielder by Khama Billiat.

For Saturday’s match, Maart is expected to have his hands full defensively. Sithebe will provide energy, but unless Phathutshedzo Nange is added as a third midfielder, then the former Sekhukhune United man will have to be conservative to protect his centre-backs. Being deeper may give him time on the ball to hit long passes, but he won’t be able to move around in the build-up play as it would leave a hole for Thembinkosi Lorch to exploit on transition. As for Ndlondlo, he will be glad that Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is missing as “Mshini” was a key player in the October derby as he made full use of Miguel Timm’s suspension. Unless Chiefs select what Rhulani Mokwena has referred to as an “anti-10” to nullify Ndlondlo and Timm, the Pirates duo could run the show in deeper midfield areas. So, whilst Ndlondlo and Maart may not be seen undertaking a dozen direct duels or challenges, the winner of the match could also be which of the deep-lying playmakers has the most influence on proceedings.

What Riveiro must avoid…

In the league this season, the Houghton-based side have lost recently to both Chiefs and Sundowns – both 1-0 losses – in games where they played relatively well. In the defeat to their archrivals, Riveiro surprised everyone, including coach Arthur Zwane, by going with a 4-4-2 formation. Just a week earlier, Bucs had thrashed Sundowns 3-0, but the Spaniard tinkered with his 4-3-3 shape from that victory by dropping a midfielder in Fortune Makaringe. Zakhele Lepasa came into the side, which was something Mangethe didn’t expect, admitting afterwards, “They surprised us when they started him, but it worked to our advantage because that means they were less in midfield. So, we packed the midfield and we knew we were going to dominate the midfield and wait for the right moment to attack. It worked for us, and unfortunately we couldn’t take the chances we created from those moments. But yeah, I think the boys executed the plan very well.” Riveiro had to correct his error at half-time by taking off Lepasa.

The Pirates head coach was at it again for the Downs defeat in early February. His side had just beaten Marumo Gallants 2-0 with Ndlondlo and Kabelo Dlamini playing as two number eights, with Terrence Dzvukamanja as a false nine. He decided to drop both Ndlondlo and Dlamini in favour of Timm and Goodman Mosele, lining up with effectively three defensive midfielders. That showed too much respect to the Brazilians and despite dominating possession, they only had two shots on target and also looked more threatening once Mosele was withdrawn for Dlamini just after half-time. For this match, Pirates may be better suited to keep close to the same XI that beat Maritzburg United and looking to play on the front foot against a Chiefs side that could be lacking confidence.