Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Soweto Derby Preview, team news and head-to-head record

The first Soweto Derby of the year arrives on Saturday with both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates looking to steady their wavering Premier Soccer League title challenges at FNB Stadium.

A victory for either side could reignite their campaigns and dramatically alter the title race, which currently seems to be leaning in Mamelodi Sundowns’ favour. For Pirates, a win would be particularly significant, potentially shifting the momentum at the top of the table.

Despite their traditional dominance, having won the last eight league titles, Sundowns have shown uncharacteristic inconsistency this season. They currently lead the league on goals difference following a 2-1 victory over Pirates on February 18 and a subsequent 1-0 win against AmaZulu on Wednesday.

However, their vulnerability was exposed when they were eliminated from the Nedbank Cup by TS Galaxy in a 2-0 defeat.

Form guide

Pirates, who have already secured the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies this season, suffered a blow of their own. After their loss to Sundowns, they were shockingly knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by second-tier side Casric Stars in a penalty shootout.

Nevertheless, the Buccaneers are level on 38 points with Sundowns, separated only by goal difference. A victory for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou in his first Soweto Derby would see Pirates temporarily claim the top spot before Sundowns face a tricky fixture against Sekhukhune United on Sunday.

Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to climb into third place after a 2-1 midweek loss to Stellenbosch. This marked their third consecutive defeat to the Cape Winelands side, who also eliminated them from the Nedbank Cup.

Despite this setback, a derby win would lift Chiefs to third, just five points behind the leaders, and firmly establish the title contest as a three-horse race.

Kaizer Chiefs team news

On the player front, Chiefs’ off-season signing Ethan Chislett made his long-awaited debut against Stellenbosch and showed promising signs.

Co-coach Cedric Kaze confirmed the defender Inacio Miguel, who has missed the last two games with an injury, is back in training and in contention for the derby and so is midfielder Thabo Cele.

Sibongiseni Mthethwa is likely to miss as he is not fully fit despite returning to training while Etiosa Ighodaro and George Matlou are also ruled out.

Orlando Pirates team news

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed the availability of Thalenthe Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa but speculation surrounds Sipho Mbule and Kabelo Dlamini. Tapelo Xoki and Thabiso Lebitso are likely to miss out.

Head-to-head record

While Orlando Pirates have won the last four league encounters between the two rivals, Chiefs emerged victorious in last season’s Nedbank Cup final.

This will be the 184^th Soweto Derby since the two sides met in January 1970. Chiefs have the edge in this fixture 75 victories to 49 for the Buccaneers while there have been 54 draws and five abandoned games. The goals scored is 233-199 in favour of Chiefs.

What have the coaches said?

Kaizer Chiefs coach Cedric Kaze maintains that his players need no motivation to turn out for the biggest game on the calendar.

“The derby is spicy, every time you come to a derby you want to do as much as you can to win. You know you buy yourself a month of happiness with the fans and everyone (if you win). That is just how it is in football,” said the Burundian coach.

“We will do everything to put in a very good performance on Saturday. A good performance will lead to a positive result.”

Meanwhile, his Pirates counterpart Abdeslam Ouaddou is oozing confidence ahead of the match as his players look to end a run of two straight defeats.

“At the beginning of the week, I could see that everyone was ready to play. It will be difficult to make the final list,” Ouaddou told the media on Thursday. “The players are really looking forward to the event. At the start of the week, there’s been high intensity.”