Soweto Derby: Mosimane urges Sundowns fans to cheer for Pirates against Chiefs

All of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are frontrunners in the league title race, but the man in charge of the latter would like to see the hosts of the upcoming Soweto Derby prevail on Saturday.

FNB Stadium is once again the scene where the country’s biggest sports rivalry will play out over the weekend, with the Buccaneers billed as the home team this time around.

This is after coming second best in the reverse fixture, which produced no less than five goals.

The traditional big three of South African soccer currently occupy the top three of the league standings, with first and third place only separated by six points.

It is the Glamour Boys at pole position, with the defending league champions just four points behind, while Pirates have wormed themselves into third place after a tough start to the season.

Having seen his side through some tight title chases on two consecutive seasons, the Brazilians mentor is not opposed to another one, and has urged the famous sea of yellow, which follows his side around the country to lend their voices behind Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

“Obviously if you want the league to be exciting, you don’t wish them [Kaizer Chiefs] to win on Saturday,” said Mosimane.

“When we played [Bloemfontein] Celtic, did you see the Chiefs fans at Loftus? They came in numbers [to support Celtic]. When we played Chippa [United], they came in big numbers. “Probably Masandawana must go and join the Buccaneers there [at Soccer City].”

Pitso Mosimane

Putting the rivalry aside

Sundowns and Pirates were South Africa’s representatives in the Caf Champions League, before the latter fell on the first hurdle – losing to Zambia’s Green Eagles in the first preliminary round.

This was after the two sides finished first and second for the second season running in the domestic league.

The 2017/18 season saw the two teams only separated by five points, with the Tshwane Giants grabbing the first of their two consecutive titles.

The destination of that particular crown was decided a week before the close of the season, but the following campaign would be a little closer.

Sundowns and Pirates were again neck and neck going into the final weekend of the campaign, with the Buccaneers needing victory plus a Free State Stars win against the Brazilians to lift their first title since 2012.

However, Sundowns would successfully defend their title, banishing Stars to relegation, as they grabbed a record ninth league crown.