Plenty is at stake on Saturday even beyond the usual bragging rights that accompany South Africa’s Soweto Derby as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs meet at the Orlando Stadium for a DStv Premiership clash. Pirates are turning their form around following an indifferent start to the 2022-23 season, Kaizer Chiefs are winless in three matches after a promising start to the campaign. With Pirates triumphing over South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns to advance to the MTN 8 final while Chiefs were eliminated last weekend it seems the Bucs have all the momentum on their side but all prior form goes out the window in rivalry matchups like this, which should provide a feverish atmosphere with around 90,000 expected to attend.
Orlando Pirates
Bucs manager José Riveiro has his team playing excellent direct football and after the team struggled to score in his first matches as head coach, the acquisition of Kermit Erasmus from Sundowns has turned things around. Either Erasmus or Monnapule Saleng have had a hand in Pirates’ last five goals and they will be influential on Saturday with Saleng adding devastating speed and shiftiness to Bucs attack that thrives when they play with a direct style. With Saleng’s return from a loan spell at Swallows FC along with the recent acquisitions of Erasmus and creative midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo this Pirates attack is transformed from last season.
Pirates continue to maintain the solid defensive core they had from last season with a couple more excellent signings helping to add depth and replace outgoing veterans like Happy Jele and Ntsikelelo Nyauza. Nigerian center back Olisa Ndah will likely join new arrival pre-season arrival Nkosinathi Sibisi along with captain Innocent Maela in a three-man defensive line. Right back Thabiso Monyane continues to develop into a regular starter at right wingback while last season’s creative force Deon Hotto is adjusting well to the wingback position on the left flank.
The only question is if goalkeeper Richard Ofori takes his starting spot back from veteran Siyabonga Mpontshane who has proven his capability. An important note is that Miguel Timm is suspended which means the center of midfield will likely be anchored by Goodman Mosele and either Fortune Makaringe or Ben Motshwari. Riveiro has numerous options at each position he can insert without losing quality.
Kaizer Chiefs
With Timm’s absence Chiefs and manager Arthur Zwane can focus on trying to dominate the center of midfield. The duo of Yusuf Maart and Njabulo Blom will have to be at their best if Amakhosi want to wrestle control of the match because the defense has been quite poor this season. Zitha Kwinika, Edmilson Dove and Siyabonga Ngezana have all had questionable moments in the heart of the defensive line best highlighted by a disastrous 4-0 defeat to Sundowns earlier this season. Sifiso Hlanti and Reeve Frosler should line up at left and right back in a 4-3-3 formation in front of either Bruce Bvuma or Brandon Peterson in goal.
The Chiefs attack is more than capable but continues to blow hot and cold this season, particularly up top. Everything revolves around Keagan Dolly who will pull the strings and has the quality to make the difference with his technique and set piece deliveries. The former Sundowns star will be given a free role in front of Blom and Maart and knows that much is expected of him in this matchup.
The three up top looks like it will have a noticeable absence for Chiefs with lanky Burundian marksman Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana struggling for fitness. Ashley Du Preez and his speed need to provide the runs for service from Dolly and his strike partners but most importantly Du Preez needs to be sharp with his finishing which continues to be inconsistent. Joining him up top will be Kgaogelo Sekgota who also boasts plenty of speed and explosiveness but similarly struggles with his final product. It appears that 32-year-old Zimbabwean attacker Khama Billiat, a player who has drawn attention for not living up to his high salary at Chiefs, will replace Bimenyimana in the starting lineup.
Prediction
Chiefs have won the last three competitive matchups between these teams and Amakhosi are due for a good performance based on their recent inconsistency. However this Pirates team are in peak form and their performance has been strong even when the results haven’t gone their way. We are expecting either a Bucs win or draw.
