Bumper weekend ahead
BIG MATCH: BOTH COACHES PROMISE ALL-OUT ATTACK AT THE FNB STADIUM
Chastened Chiefs have some catching up to do.
Today’s Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs has high stakes, with far more than just bragging rights across the divide that separates the two sets of fans.
Victory for either side will give them a major boost, with both still in the running for the league title despite inconsistent starts to the 2018/19 Absa Premiership campaign.
Pirates head into this game second in the table with 16 points, one point behind leaders Bidvest Wits, while third-placed Chiefs are two points further back with 14 points from 10 games. The one negative for both Soweto giants is that the sides around them, including Wits, have games in hand on the pair.
Still the Buccaneers and Amakhosi should be highly motivated after both sides managed to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout, getting past Chippa United and Black Leopards respectively in the previous round.
The recent previous meetings between the sides favours Pirates, but head coach Micho Sredojevic has chosen not to dwell on the past results and he is expecting a very competitive Amakhosi side, even though the Glamour Boys are sweating on the fitness of key players such as Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro. Sredojevic added that it would be better if they would come up against a fully-fit Chiefs side.
“It will be a totally different ball-game, a different approach from our opponents. However, we want to keep our identity, we want to play graciously and we shall come out and attack. Whenever they have the ball we will give them respect. Whenever we have the ball, we will try to be extremely arrogant and go for a goal more,” said the Bucs coach.
“We would be happier if all of them were there, but no matter who is there or not, we expect the best possible Chiefs side in recent times.”
Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas meanwhile is happy to go into his first Soweto derby – he highlighted the importance of the match and says his side will try to win even though it will be very difficult for both teams.
“You can imagine how important the derby between Chiefs and Pirates is. I am happy to be involved in this event.
“The atmosphere is very special because it is a special game, so it is a privilege to be part of this derby. It’s like a football party,” said Solinas.
“We won’t change our philosophy and we do not change how we prepare, we prepare for each game in the same manner. The past is in the past, we are talking about the present now. It is a very difficult game, for us and for Pirates. I just want to enjoy this game.” Kick-off: 3.30pm Also see Pages 45 & 46