EXCLUSIVE: Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi tips Amakhosi to beat Orlando Pirates while Jerry Sikhosana rallies behind young stars

Pirates host their bitter rivals, Amakhosi, in a battle to secure the second-place finish in the DStv Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday at 15.30.

Despite still having 11 games to play before the end of the current campaign, the two sides are virtually out of contention for the DStv Premiership honours with Mamelodi Sundowns in pole position to win their seventh successive league title.

Pirates and Chiefs remain 12 and 13 points behind leading Sundowns who have played 16 games compared to the Soweto giants’ 19 matches.

Baloyi, affectionately known as “Spider-Man”, and Sikhosana, who is dubbed the “Legs of Thunder”, remain a big part of the Soweto derby’s history.

To this day, they are greatly endeared by supporters because of the great rivalry they had on the pitch for a long time during the mid-1990s.

The retired stars both currently serve as Hollywoodbets brand ambassadors.

Speaking exclusively to Hollywoodbets Sports, Baloyi said Chiefs will head into battle wearing the underdogs’ tag as Pirates have performed better over the past couple of seasons.

“Looking at both clubs, Chiefs are struggling while Pirates at some point in the last two seasons looked very solid, winning cup competitions and going into finals,” Baloyi said.

“At some point, we thought by now they (Pirates) would be challenging Sundowns, but it looks like they backtracked a bit. But they are on the rise again.

“With Chiefs, what is happening around the club (instability), as we know that in the last year alone, they changed coaches three times,” he said.

“Coach Cavin Johnson at the moment is the interim coach.

“I’ve worked with him before. He loves playing and promoting youngsters, which is something that he is doing already, and we are seeing the fruits of that already,” the former goalkeeper said.

“My prediction is Chiefs, as the underdogs, will come around and do well to win this game and I’m predicting the score will be 2-1.”

Youngsters Wandile Duba of Chiefs and Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng are currently the most talked about players ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Duba scored a thing of beauty when Chiefs defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 in a league clash on Tuesday.

It was Duba’s first goal in the senior team since his promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).    

Mofokeng, also coming from the DDC, has been one of the key players for the Sea Robbers and was on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw with Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday.

Mofokeng has proven to be a real gem, attracting interest from far and wide. The 19-year-old was recently invited to a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers of England.

“Looking at how the teams played in their respective midweek fixtures, Chiefs won against Arrows with a goal from Wandile Duba, the youngster from DDC,” Sikhosana said.

“Also, Pirates played a draw with their goal coming from Mofokeng, let’s hope Saturday people will be wanting to see these youngsters as before you will be told about the story of ‘Jerry vs Brian.’

“Spectators would come to the derby to watch that battle. I hope Saturday will be a great day for the derby.”