Jerry Sikhosana and Brian Baloyi share their thoughts ahead of this weekend’s crunch Soweto Derby.
Mzansi will come to a standstill this Saturday as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates face off in the 117th Soweto Derby. With Sundowns having already claimed the DStv Premiership title, neither of the Soweto giants can afford to slip up here in the race for Champions League football.
Arthur Zwane and his charges are under massive pressure having won just once in their last six league outings. That run included a goalless draw against 10-man TS Galaxy as well as a 4-0 hammering at the hands of AmaZulu.
A win against their fierce rivals will go some way in getting supporters – who have recently voiced dissatisfaction with the team – back on side.
Last time out, a Yusuf Maart stunner secured the points for the Naturena outfit as Chiefs ran out 1-0 winners.
A stunning goal to win the #SowetoDerby 💥
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 1, 2022
This strike from @KaizerChiefs’ Yusuf Maart could be one for the #Puskas list 👀
Who do you think deserves the award for the most spectacular goal of the year? Use #Puskas to share your contenders!pic.twitter.com/c1BtxF5FrT
That October match was a tense affair settled by a goal-of-the-season contender, but Brian Baloyi expects goals this time around, with Chiefs to edge the contest.
“I believe Chiefs will win this one. Not being biased, but based on history and the way things are, I think that any of the two teams that come into this match overexcited and overconfident tend to lose. So my money is on Chiefs,” said Baloyi.
“They’ve (Chiefs) been playing some beautiful football but just aren’t scoring goals, and I think Saturday is the day (they put things right). I think it’s going to be raining goals at the FNB Stadium this Saturday with Chiefs to win 2-1 or 3-2,” exclaimed a quietly confident Baloyi
Former Orlando Pirates forward Jerry Sikhosana wasn’t drawn into giving a prediction but hoped for an exciting encounter.
“As we know the Derby is coming up this weekend. Let’s brace ourselves for something we’ll be able to enjoy. Hopefully, the match will produce plenty of talking points. We want to see goals being scored, the fans don’t want to see a 0-0 draw,” Jerry told the Hollywoodbets Sports Blog.
“My take in terms of the two teams: yes, Pirates have got the upper hand because of their recent form compared to Chiefs who are having some problems. That said, derbies are derbies! You will never expect Pirates to walk over Chiefs just because they are out of form. On the day of the Derby, anything is possible. I speak from experience,” added Sikhosana.
“I remember in 1996 when we (Pirates) lost 3-0 to Mahwelereng Real Rovers, and Chiefs beat the same side 5-0 at the Rand Stadium. The next weekend, we were set to play Chiefs and were written off because we lost in Polokwane. We ended up beating Chiefs 4-1. Let’s not look at the form. The formbook is thrown out the window for these games, ” said Sikhosana.
The encounter is set to kick off at 15:30 at the FNB Stadium on Saturday 25 February. Pirates are currently third on the DStv Premiership standings, two points behind second-placed SuperSport United.
Chiefs occupy fifth place on the log. A win this weekend will see Zwane’s side draw level on points with their Soweto rivals.
