Stuart Baxter says the Soweto Derby will always retain its allure because of the unrivalled history between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
While neither side is expected to catch runaway DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table this season, there is an interesting battle developing for second place.
The top two league finishers claim a place in the CAF Champions League while third spot secures participation in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Royal AM are currently in second on the league standings with 33 points from 20 games, while Chiefs sit in third with 32 points from 19 games (two pending), as Pirates occupy fourth place with 32 points from 21 matches played.
Baxter said on Soccer Laduma: “There’s history and prestige, which makes it much more special than any normal game.
“For all those respects, we’ve been working very hard and as we move closer to the game obviously the focus is on being able to come into the game in the right frame of mind so we can give a good performance.
“That’s what we are working on at the moment. The tragedy is that the supporters are not there, and that’s what makes it the Soweto Derby really. But for all the other reasons I’ve given we still be fired up for it and ready to go.”
