Kaizer Chiefs are set to play Orlando Pirates on Saturday in the Premier Soccer League's Soweto Derby on Saturday at the FNB Stadium, aware that anything less than a win might kill their fainting hopes of qualifying for the MTN8.
The Glamour Boys have been blowing hot and cold this season, and with three games to conclude the ongoing campaign, they must give their best to deliver.
Have a look at the five main factors that might see Chiefs get past the Sea Robbers in a crucial Soweto Derby outing.
The hunger for the bragging rights
The Buccaneers have been doing well against their old rivals in recent meetings, across all competitions.
In the last four Soweto Derbies, the Pirates have not tasted defeat; as a matter of fact, they have won three games in regulation time, while they have won the other in Cup competition, in extra time. Surely, Amakhosi will not want another loss this weekend.
Another MTN8 absence?
Currently, Chiefs have managed to collect 30 points from the 25 games played in the Premier Soccer League this season. After the expulsion of Royal AM from the Premier Soccer League, the Nasreddine Nabi-led men are remaining with three games to end the season.
Last season, the Glamour Boys finished 10th on the table and missed out on the annual competition. This might be the case again, in the 2024/25 campaign, if the team fails to get the points they need. They have to ensure they beat Bucs.
‘Set-piece fragile' Pirates are low in confidence
Pirates were recently knocked out of the Caf Champions League semi-final by Pyramids, before falling to Sekhukhune United in the Premier Soccer League. Interestingly, they conceded a total of four goals in the two fixtures – from set pieces.
The Buccaneers are low in confidence after failing to deliver in the continental outing before their PSL ambitions suffered a major setback. Chiefs have everything to lose, explaining why they will be going out guns blazing.
Win over Sundowns, psychological boost for Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns are not beaten easily by big teams, but Kaizer Chiefs showed their mental strength by coming from a goal down to eliminate them from the Nedbank Cup semi-final a couple of weeks ago.
Despite Chiefs going six league games without a win, the match on Saturday will be another massive challenge that Chiefs players might fancy. Beating Pirates will give them another massive psychological boost ahead of the Nedbank Cup final on May 10.
Nabi's hunger to win a derby
Nabi's first-ever Soweto Derby ended with a narrow 1-0 loss, which came late in the game after a controversial penalty that was converted by Patrick Maswanganyi.
This will be coach Jose Riveiro's last Soweto derby, having confirmed that he will leave after his contract expires. Coach Nabi was beaten once, and is definitely working on beating his opposite number tactically.
