Staff Reporter.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will open the South African domestic season with a clash in the Carling Black Label Cup at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
It is a return of the curtain-raiser match after it didn’t take place last season.
It is a unique competition, where fans get to determine the starting XI for each side, as well as choose penalty-takers and make substitutions, all through the power of the vote.
While the clash is billed as a preseason friendly, those who have followed one of the world’s fiercest football rivalries will be aware that there is nothing friendly once the two Soweto Giants cross the whitewash, and will expect the same as the fixture returns for the first time since 2019.
Pirates are the holders of the Carling Black Label Cup, following a 2-0 victory in the last edition of the competition, thanks to first-half goals from Augustine Mulenga and Thembinkosi Lorch.
The result further cemented Pirates as the most successful team in the competition, with five wins to Chiefs’ three.
It was also the third time running where the winner was determined without the intervention of a penalty shootout.
Both sets of fans have chosen solid starting XIs, boasting both youth and experience.
Pirates will be led by defender Thulani Hlatshwayo, who pairs up with the experienced Ntsikelelo Nyauza in the middle of the defence. Up front, the likes of striker Gabadinho Mhango along with attacking midfielders Deon Hotto and Thembinkosi Lorch are expected to provide a sizeable goal-scoring threat.
They will have to do without regular starters in Club captain Happy Jele, and the ever-popular Vincent Pule, as well as strikers Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa, who have all pulled out due to injury.
Chiefs, on the other hand, will be skippered by the experienced Itumeleng Khune, while star midfielder Lebogang Manyama is a notable name among those who will be sitting the game out.
Kick-off is at 17:00.
Starting XIs:
Pirates: Richard Ofori (GK), Thulani Hlatshwayo, Innocent Maela, Wayde Jooste, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Thembinkosi Lorch, Ben Motshwari, Deon Hotto, Fortune Makaringe, Thabang Monare, Gabadinho Mhango.
Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune (GK), Erick Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso, Happy Mashiane, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Lebohang Lesako, Njabulo Blom, Kearyn Baccus, Sabelo Radebe, Samir Nurkovic, Khama Billiat.