Players likely to make debut in derby
Billiat, Pule almost certain to play
Red-hot Orlando Pirates winger Vincent Pule is among a handful of players who are likely to make a maiden appearance in the Soweto derby at a sold-out FNB on Saturday. But for Pule, the game will be more about helping his team than worrying about making his debut in the Pirates vs Chiefs showpiece. “For me, the focus is on Orlando Pirates. As a team we just want to see the team playing good football and doing well. The derby is a big game. “As a young kid you dream of playing in a derby. “I think for me I just want to see Pirates doing well.” Pule joined Pirates in July alongside former Wits teammate Ben Motshwari‚ another new Bucs recruit who is set to appear in front of the 86 000 capacity crowd at the weekend. Brazilian defender Da Silva Marcelo‚ who started in Bucs’ last three matches‚ and attacking midfielder Paseka Mako‚ who has also made a couple of starts after joining the team from Chippa United‚ are the other Bucs players who could make the starting XI. Don’t be surprised if Bucs coach Milutin Sredojevic also includes gangling midfielder Linda Mntambo‚ another player signed from Chippa in July. Kaizer Chiefs‚ on the other hand‚ have Italian coach Giovanni Solinas leading those who will make their first appearances in southern Africa’s biggest match. Solinas will be tempted to give midfielder Khama Billiat a start in his first derby after recovering from injury while Ugandan left-back Godfrey Walusimbi looks almost certain to get the nod after playing most of Chiefs’ games since arriving from Kenyan outfit Gor Mahia in August. Defender Mario Booysen‚ bought from Ajax Cape Town in July‚ is another Chiefs player in the reckoning, especially if Siyabonga Ngezana is not fully fit to start alongside Daniel Cardoso in defence. But it is unlikely that Chiefs’ new goalkeeper Virgil Vries will start ahead of No1 Itumeleng Khune‚ who watched from the bench last week as the new man saved two penalties to help the club beat Black Leopards 4-2 on penalties in the last 16 stage of the Telkom Knockout.