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Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng tries to drift away from his marker Given Msimango in a Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on 9 March 2024. Pirates won 3-2. Having scored in a big match against Sundowns, Mofokeng will be determined to be on the scoresheet in the big match against Chiefs.
Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images SPORT window._brandmetrics = window._brandmetrics || []; window.
_brandmetrics.push({ cmd: '_loadsurvey' }); For a change, the big Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday will somewhat have a bearing on the title race to add extra excitement. Unlike in previous seasons, where bragging rights were the only real thing to fight for in the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates meetings, there is much at stake now.
Here are five reasons why this particular derby is unique: The result will have a bearing on the title race Neither of the two clubs can afford a defeat, or even a draw when they collide in the first Soweto derby under the Betway Premiership banner. Host club Pirates must win to keep up with champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead the table with 33 points from 12 games. READ: Majoro on playing for Chiefs and Pirates: It was a move that didn’t touch people the right way Chiefs also need a win to remain in the top five and maintain a manageable distance between them and Sundowns and Pirates.
A win for Amakhosi will take them to within three points of Pirates, though Chiefs have played more games. Chiefs are fifth with 21 points from 14 games while Pirates are second with 27 points from 11 matches. The Buccaneers and Sundowns are behind on matches played as they juggle the domestic programme with the CAF Champions League.
Orlando Pirates head coach José Riveiro and his counterpart at Kaizer Chiefs Nasreddine Nabi shared a stage during the Soweto derby press conference at Soweto Theatre on 30 January. Sharon Seretlo / Gallo Images Nasreddine Nabi's first Soweto derby While Pirates coach José Riveiro is heading into his sixth derby in charge of the Buccaneers, his counterpart at Chiefs, Nasreddine Nabi, will become the latest newly appointed Amakhosi tactician to oversee the blockbuster fixture. The Spaniard guided Bucs to three wins in the league and cup clashes, while two league encounters against the township foes ended in defeats.
READ: Soweto derby | Pirates striker Mabasa eyeing all-time club goal record The stage is set for Nabi, who has already coached against all the other PSL teams except Pirates, to make his mark in the biggest match in Southern Africa. The Tunisian, however, has already lost two big matches. Unusual derby dates At this time of the season, Pirates and Chiefs would ordinarily be meeting in the second leg of the Soweto derby league fixture.
The first derby of every season is traditionally played in late October or early November, with the corresponding fixture usually played in early or late March. But with the league matches having started in mid-September following delays in the announcement of Betway as the new title sponsor, instead of the traditional early August start, the PSL moved their season premier fixture to 1 February 2025. The second leg of the derby is scheduled for 3 May at the same venue.
As a result, the two sides are meeting for the first time in a league clash in almost a year. The last time they met they spoiled the fans with a five-goal thriller on 9 March last year, as Pirates twice came from behind to win 3-2. Pirates also won the first leg of the derby 1-0 in November 2023.
Derby for Ama2000 The stage is set for players born in 2000, with Pirates youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota (both 20) falling in this category. Orlando Pirates starlet Mohau Nkota will be determined to impress in his first Soweto derby. Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images Mofokeng, who is affectionately known as "President ya ma2000", has played 26 matches across five competitions this season and scored eight goals.
Nkota has 16 appearances in competitions with four goals. Chiefs also have ama2000 of their own, who have been taking turns in carrying the team. Mduduzi Shabalala is on four league goals from 13 games so far this season.
Darren Stewart / Gallo Images Mduduzi Shabalala is the latest. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has scored four league goals in 13 league games. Mfundo Vilakazi (19) is also coming of age.
He has two goals in 16 matches across all competitions. Mfundo Vilakazi has not started as many games as he would have liked and nothing will please him more than starting in the Soweto derby. Philip Maeta / Gallo Images Chiefs short in strike force Ahead of the derby, Ranga Chivaviro is the only number nine available for Amakhosi.
Ashley du Preez, who scored two goals in the last derby, will miss out through injury. Chiefs promising striker Wandile Duba (20) also misses out due to injury. Amakhosi's newly signed strikers, Tashreeq Morris and Makabi Lilepo, are not immediately available for selection because they were officially unveiled by the club this week.
Morris is also serving the last match of a suspension he picked up while he was still with SuperSport United, while Lilepo is unlikely to get a working permit in time for the derby. Newly-acquired midfielder Thabo Cele, who was also unveiled by Chiefs this week, is also likely not to play in the derby. In contrast, Pirates did not sign any players.
Betway Premiership weekend fixtures Friday Richards Bay vs Magesi FC (King Zwelithini Stadium, 7.30pm) Saturday, 1 February Stellenbosch FC vs Sekhukhune United (Danie Craven Stadium, 3.30pm) Polokwane City vs Chippa United (Peter Mokaba Stadium, 5.
30pm) AmaZulu vs SuperSport United (Moses Mabhida Stadium, 8pm) Sunday, 2 February TS Galaxy vs Cape Town City (Mbombela Stadium, 3.30pm) Sundowns vs Golden Arrows (Lucas Moripe Stadium, 3.30pm) Discover the Truth Step into a world where the truth shines bright, and every headline is worth your time.
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