Former Orlando Pirates coach Gordon Igesund has identified where he thinks the Buccaneers have an upper hand over Kaizer Chiefs ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby showdown at FNB Stadium.
The two giants collide in their first meeting of the season in this Betway Premiership tie with kick-off set for 15:30 CAT. Pirates are pushing to defend their league title and currently have a point fewer than log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, Masandawana have played one game more than Pirates, leaving Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side right on course to retain the league crown. They will face Chiefs, whose campaign has been slowed by draws that have left them fifth on the table, eight points behind Pirates.
Interestingly, Amakhosi are yet to lose in the league despite winning once in their last five games. But the Buccaneers have set themselves apart from Chiefs by winning their last six Betway Premiership matches.
Speaking to FARPost, Igesund noted Pirates’ form and consistency as key factors that could help them carry the day on Saturday.
IGESUND NOTES CONSISTENCY AS PIRATES’ EDGE OVER CHIEFS
Amakhosi go into the Soweto Derby after beating TS Galaxy 3-0 on Tuesday to reach the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals. It was a result which eased a difficult run of form which included elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.
But Igesund sees Pirates carrying an advantage over Chiefs by being consistent heading into this traditional fixture.
“Form does count, you have to be in top form and playing well, but it’s the quality of players each of the teams has. In the Soweto Derby, it’s always the team that is in form at the moment,” Igesund told FARPost.
“For example, Orlando Pirates now are in top form, but that doesn’t mean they are going to go and beat Kaizer Chiefs. Kaizer Chiefs are also playing [well] at the moment, won 3-0 this week and are capable of scoring goals.
“It has taken them [Chiefs] a long time but the difference is the consistency that Orlando Pirates are showing that will make a big advantage. They are consistently playing well at the moment, and they are consistently scoring goals.
“Sometimes with Chiefs at the moment, you are not sure if they are going to score a goal or draw, and they are working on a lot of things as well. But sometimes you can say this team is playing better than that team.
“It’s not a point that form goes out of the window. It’s just how the players handle it because the Soweto Derby is the biggest game on their calendar and there are 30 million people from different walks of life supporting their team.
“Even those who don’t support Kaizer Chiefs might support Chiefs on the day because they don’t want Pirates to win, for example. It’s just a game that catches the imagination of everybody.”
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