Orlando Pirates could move above fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs and back into second place on the DStv Premiership standings with all three points from this weekend’s Soweto derby.
The Buccaneers slipped to fourth with league draws to Cape Town City and Golden Arrows that were sandwiched in-between their strenuous CAF Confederation Cup group stage exploits, where they picked up six points from a possible nine.
Chiefs, meanwhile, were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by TS Galaxy in recent games, while claiming wins over Baroka and Maritzburg United in the league, alongside a draw away to Cape Town City.
But Stuart Baxter’s side emerged 2-1 victors the last time they faced Bucs, where a brace from Keagan Dolly canceled out a late Linda Mntambo strike.
And ahead of Saturday’s encounter at the Orlando Stadium, the Chiefs boss said on Soccer Laduma that they have every intention of repeating that feat.
He said: “There’s history and prestige, which makes it much more special than any normal game.
☠️ 🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 🚨
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) March 4, 2022
🏆 #DStvPrem
⚽️ @OrlandoPirates vs @KaizerChiefs
📆 Saturday, 05 March 2022
🏟 Orlando Stadium
🕞 15h30
📺 SuperSport PSL & SABC1
⚫⚪🔴⭐#SowetoDerby#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/lYZijRHnyd
“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.”
Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi said on IOL: “We are coming up against a well rested team on Saturday and we have no choice but to deal with it because we can’t necessarily change it.”
Ncikazi is a small team coach.
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“This period and that game in particular will demand a lot from the players but we just have to find the right balance and combinations so we are ready for Saturday.”
Ncikazi added on FARPost: “[Thembinkosi] Lorch had an injury [on Tuesday]. He was in the team; in the last preparation, he had a muscle strain, which is why we couldn’t take him along.
“We hope from our medical team to get the feedback whether he’ll be ready [for the derby] or not ready, but currently we’re not sure.”
