All roads will be heading to Nasrec at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadium on Saturday for the much-anticipated Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The Soweto derby between these two sides attracts more soccer fanatics than any other match in the Premier Soccer League calendar, it is arguably one of the best in the continent.
ORLANDO PIRATES V KAIZER CHIEFS ONE OF THE NEST IN THE WORLD
Going abroad some of the notable derbies includes:
Barcelona vs Real Madrid. El Clásico,
Celtic F.C. vs Rangers F.C. The Old Firm Derby, Boca Juniors vs River Plate, The Superclásico, AC Milan vs Inter Milan.
Arsenal vs Tottenham, the list continues.
Despite enjoying recent good displays, Pirates should be vigilant that current form does not necessarily count nor add any advantage in the derby.
However, the Buccaneers will be looking forward to overturn their first round 1-0 defeat in the hands of the mighty Amakhosi who in that particular game, Yusuf Maart scored a cracker which undoubtedly will go down in the history of derbies as one of the best goals.
CHIEFS TO REDEEM THEMSELVES IN SOWETO DERBY?
Amakhosi will get into this particular match looking to redeem themselves following the poor string of results this season. In their recent game they succumbed to Golden Arrows who walloped them 3-2. After that defeat head coach Arthur Zwane had to be escorted out of the stadium by the law enforcement agencies as supporters were baying for his blood.
This match can probably be won by individual brilliant performers, Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng who is having a debut season to remember will be the man to watch, he can easily cause an upset and add more woes to Chiefs.
Saleng has been scoring vital goals and assisting his team mates, his efforts have not gone unnoticed, he has banged multiple man of the match accolades for his magnificent performance.
Upcoming Chiefs youngster Mduduzi Shabalala who netted his second of the season against Arrows is another player that can cause serious damage to the Pirates defense if not marked tightly, he has been very impressive every time he gets the nod from Zwane. Meanwhile the newly Congolese recruit Christian Saile Basomboli has been showing a huge appetite for goals in the past games, if not well monitored he can also cause some problems for the Buccaneers.
It will also be good for Pirates fans to witness the new signee Souaibou Marou from Cameroon, the highly rated striker is yet to start a game, he joined the team during the January transfer window period.
Let the best team win
By Khathu Mafadza
*Mafadza is a former sports journalist at Northern Media Group. He writes this Opinion piece in his personal capacity.
