Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has acknowledged that Orlando Pirates are clear favourites to come out victorious in the Soweto Derby this Saturday.
This will be Nabi’s first derby match since taking charge of Amakhosi before the start of the 2024/25 season.
Chiefs are currently in the rebuilding phase following a disastrous 2023/24 season which saw them finishing tenth on the log. They have shown signs of improvement under Nabi, currently fifth on the log with 21 points and have qualified for the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup where they will take on Chippa United.
Nabi admitted that Pirates are in good standing to be viewed as clear favourites to bag all three points in this clash with Jose Riveiro having had a longer period to build his team, but history has shown that form goes out the window when the two Soweto giants clash.
“Yes, why not. I believe Orlando Pirates are in terms of their process, they started a few years ago with the current technical team. They are right now where they have been building, where you are enjoying the beautiful house that you have been building.
But the history of the derby has shown that there is no real favourite, maybe on paper, but when it comes to the field, we believe that the chances will be 50/50.” Said Nabi through a translator.
The 59-year-old is no stranger to fierce rivalries having been involved in the biggest derby in Tanzania while he was the head coach of Young Africans who are the rivals of Simba SC in the Dar Es Salaam Derby as well as the Rabat Derby in Morocco between having managed AS FAR Rabat against FUS Rabat and AS FAR Rabat.
“I have been part of many derbies around Africa, but I consider this one the biggest in Africa right now.”
The Tunisian coach will return to the bench after completing his suspension, which resulted from a red card at the end of Amakhosi’s match against Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 12.
Meanwhile, Chiefs will be eager to break their three-match losing streak against the in-form Buccaneers, having fallen short in their previous encounter with a 3-2 defeat.