Kaizer Chiefs are shying away from the favourites tag for their Absa Premiership meeting against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium this afternoon like a Bird Island seal from a great white shark in Algoa Bay.This is probably because history has shown the Soweto derby to be nothing if not entirely unpredictable.
Amakhosi are the team showing they are gaining in confidence and Pirates’ domestic form has gone somewhat ragged after a gruelling run through Africa to the Caf Confederation Cup final.
So better organised, more consistent Chiefs will be the team trying to stamp their authority on unpredictable Pirates.
That’s the theory anyway. Such is the magnitude and, as Chiefs coach Steve Komphela puts it, “energy”, that surrounds the derby that what transpires on the pitch at daunting World Cup final venue FNB Stadium – a world-renowned pressure cauldron – seldom follows any script.
“Pirates could be a wounded tiger,” Komphela said.
“And we all know what happens with a wounded tiger. The pressure is always there, whether it’s at Chiefs or Pirates. And results count for nothing. This is a derby.
“Pirates will also field players who did not play against Arrows. And I am sure they will come up with a different gameplan that is more tactical.
“And from an attitude point of view their spirit will be different. The occasion itself creates a different energy.”
The Buccaneers went to the Confed final in style with a dazzling away victory in Egypt against Africa’s club of the last century, Al Ahly, in the semifinals for a 5-3 aggregate win. Pirates have ground out victories to reach the Telkom Knockout semifinals.
In the league, things get worse and worse. In 13th place with one win from seven matches, Pirates’ last 10 days saw them capitulate at home, first 1-0 to nine-man Bidvest Wits, then 2-0 to Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
Their players and coach Eric Tinkler have been at a loss to explain the nightmare.
“We have to turn it around, for the fans and for us as players,” centre-back Ayanda Gcaba said.
“Because we know our confidence is down after that loss against Arrows. Everyone expected us to win. Arrows came out guns blazing, not allowing us to play the way we wanted to.
“Come the derby we know it won’t be easy. Chiefs have been playing well, they won their last two games against Aces, home and away. Their confidence is high.
“But that does not mean we should bow our heads. We have to believe. We have to put away that fear of losing.
“We as players have to motivate each other.”
Chiefs’ fourth position in the PSL is down to their five draws in eight matches.
In contrast to Pirates, though, Amakhosi have lost just one game all season, albeit an important one – the MTN8 final 1-0 against Ajax Cape Town at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last month.
And Chiefs’ back to back-victories against Mpumalanga Black Aces in the past week – 2-1 in Nelspruit in the Telkom quarterfinals, and 1-0 at FNB in the league on Wednesday – would have lifted their confidence.
Camaldine Abraw’s first two goals for his new club in those games would have made him the forward to watch for Pirates’ defence. Kermit Erasmus has two goals in three matches for Bucs.
Let the derby begin!
This is probably because history has shown the Soweto derby to be nothing if not entirely unpredictable.
Amakhosi are the team showing they are gaining in confidence and Pirates’ domestic form has gone somewhat ragged after a gruelling run through Africa to the Caf Confederation Cup final.
So better organised, more consistent Chiefs will be the team trying to stamp their authority on unpredictable Pirates.
That’s the theory anyway. Such is the magnitude and, as Chiefs coach Steve Komphela puts it, “energy”, that surrounds the derby that what transpires on the pitch at daunting World Cup final venue FNB Stadium – a world-renowned pressure cauldron – seldom follows any script.
“Pirates could be a wounded tiger,” Komphela said.
“And we all know what happens with a wounded tiger. The pressure is always there, whether it’s at Chiefs or Pirates. And results count for nothing. This is a derby.
“Pirates will also field players who did not play against Arrows. And I am sure they will come up with a different gameplan that is more tactical.
“And from an attitude point of view their spirit will be different. The occasion itself creates a different energy.”
The Buccaneers went to the Confed final in style with a dazzling away victory in Egypt against Africa’s club of the last century, Al Ahly, in the semifinals for a 5-3 aggregate win. Pirates have ground out victories to reach the Telkom Knockout semifinals.
In the league, things get worse and worse. In 13th place with one win from seven matches, Pirates’ last 10 days saw them capitulate at home, first 1-0 to nine-man Bidvest Wits, then 2-0 to Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
Their players and coach Eric Tinkler have been at a loss to explain the nightmare.
“We have to turn it around, for the fans and for us as players,” centre-back Ayanda Gcaba said.
“Because we know our confidence is down after that loss against Arrows. Everyone expected us to win. Arrows came out guns blazing, not allowing us to play the way we wanted to.
“Come the derby we know it won’t be easy. Chiefs have been playing well, they won their last two games against Aces, home and away. Their confidence is high.
“But that does not mean we should bow our heads. We have to believe. We have to put away that fear of losing.
“We as players have to motivate each other.”
Chiefs’ fourth position in the PSL is down to their five draws in eight matches.
In contrast to Pirates, though, Amakhosi have lost just one game all season, albeit an important one – the MTN8 final 1-0 against Ajax Cape Town at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last month.
And Chiefs’ back to back-victories against Mpumalanga Black Aces in the past week – 2-1 in Nelspruit in the Telkom quarterfinals, and 1-0 at FNB in the league on Wednesday – would have lifted their confidence.
Camaldine Abraw’s first two goals for his new club in those games would have made him the forward to watch for Pirates’ defence. Kermit Erasmus has two goals in three matches for Bucs.
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