Orlando Pirates legend Eugene Zwane has weighed in on the form of goalkeepers Sipho Chaine and Brandon Petersen ahead of the Betway Premiership Soweto Derby on Sunday afternoon.
The much-awaited, sold-out Soweto Derby between the Buccaneers and Kaizer Chiefs is scheduled to kick off at 15:00. This showdown will take place at the FNB Stadium.
Heading into the clash, Pirates’ Chaine has been in formidable form. The Bafana Bafana international currently leads the Betway Premiership with 17 clean sheets in 25 league appearances.
His stellar displays have seen him equal Moeneeb Josephs’ 16-year-old club record for the most clean sheets [17 clean sheets] in a single season. Chaine is now close to reaching the all-time PSL record of 18 clean sheets, currently held by Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams.
Overall, Chaine’s statistics in this campaign are a testament to the Sea Robbers’ defensive solidity. He has kept 24 clean sheets and conceded 14 goals in 37 games across all competitions.
THE RESILIENT RETURN OF BRANDON PETERSEN
On the opposite side, Brandon Petersen has also stepped up his game for Chiefs this season. Despite a recent health scare that required surgery and sidelined him for several fixtures, Petersen showed no signs of rust upon his return, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy on 12 April.
Petersen’s numbers reflect his importance to the Amakhosi. He has kept 13 clean sheets in 19 league games. Overall, Petersen has kept 16 clean sheets and conceded 19 goals in 30 games across all competitions in this campaign.
EUGENE ZWANE PREDICTS NO CLEAN SHEET IN THE SOWETO DERBY
Despite the impressive statistics from both goalkeepers, Zwane is sceptical about either side keeping a “zero” on the scoreboard come Sunday.
“You know, with the emphasis on clean sheets these days, what we can expect is some saves, but I don’t believe they [Chaine and Petersen] will stop all the shots coming at them,” Zwane told FARPost in an exclusive interview.
“From Orlando Pirates’ point of view, there is so much firepower given their track record of scoring this season. I think they will definitely score.
“However, we cannot talk about clean sheets in this derby. I don’t see that happening on either side. I think Chiefs will score, and I think Orlando Pirates will score. I really don’t think we are going to see a clean sheet in this derby.”
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