Fernando Da Cruz endured a difficult start at Chiefs but has since steadied the team, who remain unbeaten in the league after eight games.
They were recently eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup at the hands of Zambia’s Red Arrows but come into the weekend’s game on the back of a convincing 3-0 victory against TS Galaxy in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup.
Pirates, meanwhile, lost in the final of the MTN to Mamelodi Sundowns, but are just a point behind the Premiership leaders after a run of seven wins from their opening league ties.
Ther are also through to the group stages of the CAF Champions League, and last time out thumped Milford 3-0 to secure their Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final spot.
Speaking ahead of the eagerly anticipated encounter, an upbeat Da Cruz said: “Yes, we are confident, but we know it’s a difficult game.
“I think we are ready to play this game.”
“It’s the most important game in South Africa. I think it’s one of the best games in Africa. It divides the country, and I think it’s a good moment for South African football,” he said.
“I’m feeling good. We worked well this week with the team. We are confident, but we know it’s a difficult game against a big team.”
“We come to the game with a lot of confidence – when you score three goals and don’t concede, you’ve got a lot of confidence,” added the Amakhosi mentor.
“But we always want to improve the team, even when we win. So we must keep this confidence when we go to the derby.”