Soweto derby: In-form Orlando Pirates face high-stakes Kaizer Chiefs test

Orlando Pirates take on Kaizer Chiefs in the 186th Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with the champions aiming to maintain their challenge at the top of the Betway Premiership.

Pirates are joint early pace-setters with Mamelodi Sundowns and cannot afford to lose ground in the title race. They have won six consecutive league matches against Chippa United, Sekhukhune United, Kruger United, Durban City, Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy.

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

Coach 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 campaign.

Pirates are the only team to have won their past five successive league matches. However, Ouaddou has repeatedly criticised his players for failing to make the most of periods when opponents were under pressure.

Captain Sibisi believes the coach’s comments have 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 have endured a less convincing spell. Their past six results include five draws against Stellenbosch FC, Golden Arrows, Polokwane City, Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns, alongside a win over Siwelele FC.

That sequence has left Amakhosi fourth in the standings, nine points behind leaders Sundowns. Sundowns host Durban City in Rustenburg on Saturday evening as the season gathers pace.

Chiefs midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi says their Carling Knockout Cup victory over TS Galaxy has provided timely encouragement 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 believes Chiefs’ younger players can make an impact, naming Mduduzi Shabalala, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Luke Baartman and Duba.

“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.”