Both clubs won in midweek but Buccaneers and Amakhosi go into big clash in contrasting form

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs go into the 186th edition of the Soweto derby with their tails up after midweek cup wins, adding much-needed spice to one of Africa’s greatest domestic matches.

The Buccaneers thumped Milford FC 3-0 in their Carling Knockout Cup last 16 match and Amakhosi returned to winning ways to beat TS Galaxy by the same scoreline at FNB Stadium, the venue of Bucs’ home Betway Premiership derby on Saturday (3.30pm).

Pirates are classified as favourites because of their recent strong record. They have won seven matches and lost one of their last eight in all competitions, with coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s young Bucs also possessing the Premiership title.

“Being favourites doesn’t give you the guarantee that you are going to win the match because football is open and we know Chiefs is a big club,” Ouaddou said on Thursday.

“We are also a big club and among three of the biggest teams in Africa. We must bring the fighting spirit to the table and represent our fans very well.”

Chiefs, on the other hand, have been inconsistent over the same period with two wins, as many draws and four defeats in their last six games ― which also included Friday’s blow of being booted out of the Caf Confederation Cup in the final stage before the group phase ― but they usually rise to the occasion in the Soweto derby.

One of the issues that has kept under-pressure Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz up at night was not putting away enough goals, but striker Wandile Duba found his scoring touch by netting a hat-trick against Galaxy.

One of the debates that has dominated the derby build-up is which side is under more pressure given their contrasting recent results.

Ouaddou and Da Cruz said their players cannot escape pressure in a big game and they asked them not to be overwhelmed by the weight of expectation.

“When you are in sports, you need to have positive pressure to bring happiness to yourself and those around you,” Ouaddou said. “I told my players pressure must not stop them from doing good things and showing their capacity to play.

“This is not only the biggest derby in South Africa but one of the biggest in the world. We have to give everything on the field by being physical and playing entertaining football. We will have to play with high intensity and try to reach a level.

“When you are going to play high-level football against Chiefs, it is important to have mental comfort and be able to express yourself on the pitch. If you allow bad pressure to stop you from playing, you will encounter problems.”

Da Cruz agreed with his Pirates counterpart, adding that the Chiefs players have to find a way of managing the expectations for the huge occasion at the packed, 94,000-seat 2010 World Cup final venue.

“I cannot answer for the opponents [about which team is under more pressure], but for our players it will be positive pressure. The players must manage it so they are able to play a good game with intensity and commitment.”

Da Cruz said the win over Galaxy has boosted his team. “We are going into this game with confidence because we won our last game and didn’t concede. When you keep a clean sheet, it helps with confidence, but there is always a reason to improve the team even when we win.

“Orlando Pirates have more experienced players in their squad. Some of them have played international competitions with the club or Bafana Bafana. Experience does not only come from age but from how many times you have played matches of consequence.

“But we also have young players who are used to playing in the derby and they will be ready to play on Saturday.”

Da Cruz said Amakhosi will try to throw off any form of underdog mentality by attempting to impose themselves on the game.

“We want to play a good game in front of our fans. We know it is going to be an emotional game with lots of passion around the field, but the most important thing is to be focused on how we want to play the game.”

In the last derby, the match turned physical with Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu dishing out unsporting tackles. Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi expects a competitive but clean game.

“We were caught by their level of physicality and I think some of their challenges were over the top and not fair. I don’t think as Pirates we should be judged by such things. As Pirates, we just want to play football.

“If a team comes with a different approach it is on them; we will just try to create as many chances as possible and score as many goals as we we can.”