DERBY TO DEFINE GAME’S DIRECTION

Chiefs coach says their clash with Pirates should determine where local football goes

KAIZER CHIEFS’ coach, Steve Komphela, has a long list of why sparks will fly in Saturday’s Soweto Derby between his team and Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.

This fixture has finished in stalemates in the last four league meetings, resulting in it being called a “drawby” and not helped by the low-scoring nature of this contest.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane could even stomach failing to stretch their lead at the summit with a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United while Amakhosi and the Buccaneers are chasing them. Mosimane argued the Derby will produce another draw that would see the Brazilians continue to sit at the top. But for the first time in a long time, Chiefs and Pirates are both in the league race which means a draw is out of the question if any of them is to push Sundowns to the end.

“I think this is going to be a defining match for South African football,” Komphela said. “From a tactical point of view the set-up of both teams is similar (3-4-3)…I want to see what is going to happen since we are both playing three at the back so well. I want to go back and watch the match on Sunday to observe the trends. There is something that 3-4-3 gives a team. I foresee sparks. One, from an attacking point-of-view both teams are very offensive. Two, the set-up in terms of pressing is similar. It’s going to be a highly pressing game. It might even get to a state where there is chaos pressing, the ball almost rattles left, right and centre. After the match there must be a definition of where the game should go in South Africa, which is a primary responsibility for Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns – we should define our national game.”

Chiefs missed out on an opportunity to cut Sundowns’ lead to just three points going into the final stretch by drawing 0-0 with Bloemfontein Celtic. Amakhosi lacked aggression that a team in the league race needs, especially with a strong defence that has consistently protected them – any lead they take is worth gold.

“The aggression is the killer instinct to be more ruthless,” Komphela said. “It’s one thing we regret not having. Did we highlight that? Yes. Saying stuff and doing stuff is slightly different. We regret not collecting maximum points. We would have loved to see tigers and lions coming out there, showing utmost ambition”

So how then can Amakhosi improve on their lack of aggression if they are to not finish three seasons without a trophy?

“Highlight the problem and work on it,” Komphela said. “How do you work on it? You say we are still okay defensively, there is good enough shape. Final third, can we really cut the defence and get behind them and score? There were chances that we got that weren’t clear cut but we lacked finesse and there was a stage where I thought we were a little bit desperate. You need to be calm.” 2017/18: Chiefs 0-0 Pirates 2016/17 Chiefs 1-1 Pirates & Pirates 0-0 Chiefs 2015/16: Pirates 1-1 Chiefs & Chiefs 1-3 Pirates 2014/15: Chiefs 0-0 Pirates & Pirates 0-2 Chiefs 2013/14: Pirates 0-1 Chiefs & Chiefs 1-1 Pirates 2012/2013: Chiefs 0-0 Pirates & Pirates 1-1 Chiefs