This Soweto derby may sizzle

Chiefs will hope to break a winless run of nine matches against arch-rivals Pirates in Saturday’s Soweto Derby and for once the clash could be a thriller.

Kaizer Chiefs have a significant upper hand in past derbies against Orlando Pirates, although in recent years the tide has been turning. Chiefs have not beaten Pirates in the last nine meetings between the two clubs, stretching back four years now.

But there have been six draws in that time, some of them depressingly dull. The derby is arguably the biggest sporting event in the country - a 90 000 sell-out twice a year - but has become more of a cannot-miss social event than a passionate football derby.

Some of this has to do with the fact that the game is not always as decisive as it used to be. This time it is too early in the league season for the outcome to have irreparable consequences, but it is always an important game. So crucial sometimes that the tactics tend to be too negative.

Both Chiefs and Pirates would probably prefer to play the game at another time. Chiefs have a major injury crisis and will spend this week trying to get the likes of Khama Billiat, Leonardo Castro and Daniel Cardoso fit for the game.

They were fortunate to get through their Telkom Knockout tie at the weekend, as was the case with Pirates.

Buccaneers coach Micho Sredojevic was honest enough to admit his side would need a lot of work this week in the build-up to the derby.

It is another sell-out clash therefore between two undercooked sides still struggling to find their feet in the new season. And that could be the recipe for a much-needed firecracker that transforms the clash into an allconsuming game that really injects some much-needed drama into derby.

The most likely outcome is still a draw with Pirates to shade it if there is to be a winner.

Besides earning the prestige that derby success brings, both clubs are also in dire need of the boost that a win in the Soweto derby gives for future matches.

Chiefs and Pirates hope to be contenders in this season’s title race and for both Saturday’s match is a potential turning point in the season.