Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: live updates as it happens
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: The Soweto Derby is here and the FNB Stadium is already abuzz with excitement.
The two sides have met twice so far this season with Kaizer Chiefs coming away with bragging rights in both fixtures albeit in controversial circumstances.
The two Soweto Giants have only the league to focus on for any hope of ending their respective trophy droughts come the end of the season, since both have crashed out of the Nedbank Cup.
The FNB Stadium is packed and supporters without tickets have been urged to stay away. Police have already arrested a handful of suspects accused of seeling counterfeit tickets outside the gates of the famous calabash.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs team news
Last time the teams met at the FNB stadium they produced a five-goal thriller.
Maximum points for hosts Orlando Pirates could close the gap between themselves and the league leaders to just three points, strengthening their title credentials. At the same time, a defeat puts Chiefs in a stronger position to claim their fifth league title in the PSL era.
Pirates are the PSL’s form team at the moment enjoying a winning streak which has now stretched to six league matches and are looking to make it seven by bagging the scalp of their biggest rivals.
This match has been billed as a shootout between Kaizer Chiefs skilful target man Samir Nurkovic and Orlando Pirates prolific goalscorer Gabadinho Mhango. Both sides have significant challenges in defence and as a result we could see an open and exciting game.
Chiefs should employ a more direct style while Orlando Pirates should be looking to finesse their way up the park.
The PSL pace setters are more likely to employ a conservative gameplan as they have the most to lose.
One of the men charged with keeping Pirates off the scoresheet is Daniel Cardoso who is relishing the challenge of facing their biggest rivals in a PSL crunch match.
“This game is very vital for us as it is against a fellow league contender. If they win, they close the gap on us, so we are well aware of what is at stake,” he said. “That is why we have been working hard all week long to ensure that we come out with a positive result.
“Coming off a loss, we know we have to bounce back,” he emphasised. “We have the fans behind us, we have led the log standings from the start, and we don’t want it to slip away from us. So, we will do all we can to ensure we make the fans happy on Saturday.”
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: live blog
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