Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in one of the most anticipated Soweto Derbies in recent seasons. The Buccaneers are showing good form in their continental exploits, while Kaizer Chiefs have continued to put up their hand for the second spot in the league with Sundowns leading with a comfortable 15 points at the top of the DStv Premiership log.
DStv Premiership
Sunday 5 March
Sunday 5 March
Orlando Stadium
15:30
To Win (90 minutes)
Orlando Pirates 16/10
Orlando Pirates 16/10
Draw 18/10
Kaizer Chiefs 19/10
Kaizer Chiefs 19/10
Orlando Pirates
We start with the home team! While things are going well in the CAF Confederations Cup for Orlando Pirates, wins have been hard to come by for Ezimnyama in the Premier League. They have won seven times in 20 games, exactly half of the wins Mamelodi Sundowns have accumulated this season. Their downfall this season has been drawing games. They have drawn 10 and lost only three times all season.
Whenever Pirates play, for most of their fans, the question is no longer about style, but about if they’ll be able to get the ball in the back of the net. In their last Premiership game, Pirates drew blank against Golden Arrows despite their 12 attempts at goal (four on target) and six corners. Pirates controlled most of the game’s possession too, as is the story in most of their games since Mandla Ncikazi was drafted in at the beginning of the season to co-coach with Fadlu Davids.
The return of Thembinkosi Lorch and other players from long injury spells has seen a more intensified Pirates attack that has seen them lose only once (a 4-1 drubbing to Sundowns) in their last 10 league games. Their last defeat before that run? A 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs, who relied on Keagan Dolly’s brace to claim the bragging rights.
Besides their decent form in the league that has seen Pirates contesting for at least number two on the log, Pirates are also showing good form in the Confederations Cup, where they claimed a 6-2 win over Royal Leopards. The goals will be a morale boost for attackers Kabelo Dlamini, Terrence Dzvukamanja and Kwame Peprah, who are nowhere to be seen in the DStv Premiership goal scoring charts.
Another positive going into this game for Pirates is their right full-back, Bandile Shandu, who has now scored five goals in all competitions and seems to be knocking on Hugo Broos’ door for a Bafana Bafana call up with his performances. Kaizer Chiefs’ left defensive flank will have to keep an eye on him.
Kaizer Chiefs
Amakhosi head into this one knowing they were able to beat their bitter rivals twice in 2021. What will concern most Kaizer Chiefs fans though is their stuttering form this year. Chiefs opened the new year with a loss to TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32, meaning there will be no domestic competition glory, again.
The loss was followed by an uninspiring goalless draw against Cape Town City and a last-minute smash and grab victory against Baroka that had Stuart Baxter celebrating as if he had just won the CAF Champions League.
There will be added pressure for Baxter in this game though, with the jury still out on the progress Chiefs has made under his stewardship this season. Under his wing, they have scored 22 goals and conceded 14. The goal difference indicates one thing they have in common with Orlando Pirates; they are not scoring enough goals.
Their returning-from-injury striker, Samir Nurkovic, will be out of selection due to a fourth yellow card this season received in the game against Baroka. This means Baxter could unleash the famous ‘CBD’ trio in attack against Orlando Pirates.
The trio of Leonardo Castro, Khama Billiat, and Dolly caused sleepless nights for a lot of defenses during their time at Sundowns together. Another notable absentee for Kaizer Chiefs will be Njabulo Ngcobo, whose return is still unclear.
Orlando Pirates: 4–2-3-1
Mpontshane, Jele, Ndah, Shandu, Mako, Monare, Mosele, Dlamini, Lorch, Hotto, Peprah
Kaizer Chiefs: 3-4-3
Petersen, Mathoho, Cardoso, Dube, Frosler, Blom, Baccus, Nange, Dolly, Billiat, Castro
Prediction: Orlando Pirates Win (16/10)
Kaizer Chiefs will come into this clash fresher than Orlando Pirates who have been playing in the Confederation Cup, but as shown by Chiefs last season, playing in a continental competition can give players great experience for high-pressure games. The Buccaneers are currently playing better than Amakhosi in the final third, and their attackers will look to take advantage of their slow back three (or five, depending on how you look at it). Pirates will also be looking for revenge having lost twice in a row to Chiefs in their last fixtures.
Written by Mcebo Mpungose