Pirates and Chiefs set for 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs meet in the 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with both clubs facing important challenges as the Betway Premiership season gathers pace.

Pirates are locked in a battle with Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table and will be determined to maintain their early-season momentum. The Buccaneers have won their past six league matches, beating Chippa United, Sekhukhune United, Kruger United, Durban City, Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy.

They have scored 16 goals during that run, while goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has not conceded. Chaine, the reigning goalkeeper of the season, has benefited from a defence which has been difficult to break down.

Abdeslam Ouaddou has used Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deon Hotto, Sbangani Zulu, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosikhona Ndaba and Bulelani Sigomoshe in front of Chaine during the winning sequence.

Pirates are the only team to have won their past five successive league matches, although Ouaddou has repeatedly challenged his players to be more clinical when opponents are under pressure.

Captain Sibisi believes the coach’s criticism has been misunderstood.

“The coach has been misinterpreted because he demands excellence, and good is not enough,” said Sibisi.

“For a club like Pirates, excellence always has to prevail, and the boys take it [coach’s criticism] in a positive manner. We know we should have scored more goals in our last match in the Carling Knockout Cup against Milford FC.

“His demands on the players speak to his character, and we shouldn’t be satisfied with only scoring three goals when we could have scored more than that.

“That should be our mentality, and the boys are taking it in a positive manner.”

Chiefs, meanwhile, have endured a less convincing recent spell. Their past six results include five draws against Stellenbosch FC, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City, Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns, alongside a victory over Siwelele FC.

That sequence has left Amakhosi fourth in the standings, nine points behind leaders Sundowns. The table-toppers host Durban City in Rustenburg on Saturday evening.

Chiefs midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi said Tuesday’s Carling Knockout Cup victory over TS Galaxy had provided a timely lift before the derby.

“In this game, you don’t need motivation because of the high demands. The Carling Knockout Cup win over TS Galaxy on Tuesday has boosted our confidence.

“We have been playing well since the beginning of the season but not scoring enough goals. In our last game against TS Galaxy, we managed to score three goals, and that is good for our confidence.”

All three goals were scored by striker Wandile Duba, who is expected to attract close attention from the Pirates defence.

Vilakazi also said younger players Mduduzi Shabalala, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Luke Baartman and Duba could make an impact if selected.

“Even though we are young, we must help the team, and the good thing is that the coach trusts us. We must repay him by creating chances and scoring goals.”