Soweto Derby: Orlando Pirates send strong message to Sundowns ahead of date with Kaizer Chiefs: ‘No one wants…’

Orlando Pirates play Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in the Soweto Derby, aware that they can’t afford to lose if they are to continue chasing Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League crown.

Bucs come into the match as favourites owing to their quality, as opposed to Amakhosi, but their traditional rivals have been doing quite well in recent matches where they have managed five wins and a draw in their bid to get the CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

The Sea Robbers’ assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi is happy with the steps made by the Buccaneers in recent years to catch Masandawana. As a matter of fact, there was a wide gap in the last three seasons when Bucs finished second and this edition.

However, finishing second is not on the agenda for the Soweto giants who feel they have what it takes to go all the way.

There has been a lot of improvement at Orlando Pirates

“No one wants to be number two, but based on the plan that the club has, remember the gap that was before, and remember the gap that is now, and all other metrics,” Ncikazi opened up to the media.

we don’t look at only winning the league, but we look at all other developments that are happening within the club, that are indicative that we are progressing to the right place. For me, I wouldn’t answer that question, because we are not number two now, we are number one.

“Maybe you should ask the opponents, but for now, we would like to finish on top, and we will continue fighting to finish on top. But based on the plan that the club places in front of everybody.

“f you ask me, there has been a lot of improvement and advancement within the club, in terms of signing players, in terms of everything else that I mentioned before. So, for me, I don’t see a number two, I still see Pirates that sits on top,” the tactician concluded.

The Sunday game has been scheduled to start at 16.00 SAT.