By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Today,South Africa will be brought to a standstill,as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates clash in the latest edition of the Soweto derby at 3.30 pm —the biggest match in the national football calendar.
This match is always a high-pressure affair, but that will be especially pronounced this time around, with both teams struggling to establish themselves even as title contenders – usually the bare minimum demanded by their supporters.
Chiefs come into the clash having suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Stellenbosch FC in midweek, with a stunning Ashley Du Preez goal giving the Cape side a hard-fought but deserved victory at Soccer City.
The result means Chiefs have lost all momentum built by previous back-to-back wins over Chippa United and SuperSport United – performances which suggested that they had turned a corner under coach Stuart Baxter.
Pirates, meanwhile, may have claimed a 2-1 home win over Sekhukhune United in midweek, but they have taken only two more points than their arch rivals this season and remain off the pace of even the surprise chasing duo of Stellenbosch and Royal AM, let alone leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Yet Pirates will take heart from their victory over Sekhukhune, which saw them come from behind thanks to goals from Linda Mntambo and Kabelo Dlamini, thereby snapping a four-game winless streak in the Premiership and ensuring they enter the Derby with more of a bounce.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter: [The loss to Stellenbosch] doesn’t affect the derby at all. I think the derby has its own life, that’s my experience. We have a couple of days to recoup and refresh and put together a game plan for Pirates because you certainly are not trying to get one eye on Pirates and Stellenbosch… that would be suicidal. We gave attention to this game and we will give Pirates their attention now.”
Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi: “We have a lot of challenges, without making excuses I know in every team it happens. But in our team it’s extraordinary. You can make a list of a new team out of injuries. But God being God every reason, pre-destination, we don’t know why it’s happening like it’s happening. I’m just happy that [against Sekhukhune] it was not as bad. I’m hoping that [Olisa] Ndah is okay because you can see what’s happening at the back. We lost [Happy] Jele, now Ndah is doubtful. But hey, it is what it is. Let’s move to the next match. The most important match in the PSL calendar.”
Premier Soccer League released a statement on the 13th of October 2021, that the league is still in the process of gathering information on the learnings from SAFA and looking at the best and safest way of welcoming supporters back to the stadium.
DSTV Premiership Results and Fixtures:
Thursday,04 November.
Amazulu 0 – 0 Marumo Gallants
Friday,05 November.
SuperSport United 2-1 Galaxy.
Saturday,06 November.
Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates — 3.30 pm
Stellenbosch FC v Golden Arrows — 5 pm
Sunday, 07 November.
Royal AM v Baroka FC — 3.30 pm
Swallows FC v Sekhukhune United — 3.30 pm
Chippa United v Maritzburg United — 3.30 pm
Marumo Gallants v Mamelodi Sundowns — 5.30 pm
AmaZulu FC v Cape Town City — 6 pm.