Soweto derby: Five Bucs who can help Pirates to extend dominance against Chiefs

Orlando Pirates have a daunting task on Saturday in the Premier Soccer League on Saturday when they face Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.

The Bucaneers are unbeaten in their last five league meetings with the Glamour Boys, winning four of those and drawing once. However, they lost the last Soweto derby, which was in the Nedbank Cup final last season.

Bucs are desperate for a win following their back-to-back losses; they fell 2-1 against Mamelodi Sundowns in the league before being eliminated from the Nedbank Cup by second-tier outfit Casric Stars.

Against Amakhosi, Afrik-Foot takes a look at the five players who could see them bag both the bragging rights and the three points.

Sipho Chaine

The 29-year-old has been the most in-form goalkeeper in the Premier Soccer League where he has conceded just seven goals in the 17 matches played. His 12 clean sheets are the most, with Brandon Petersen coming second with 11.

Chaine hopes to make the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 World Cup that the United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host. However, he has to stand tall this weekend in his bid to ensure Pirates continue pushing for PSL.

Nkosinathi Sibisi

Questions have been asked about the ability of the club’s skipper to cop with fast and skilled players. He might be coming up against the likes of Flavio Silva, Glody Lilepo and Pule Mmodi who are both physical and quick.

While Mbekezeli Mbokazi ensured his partner is well covered, on the pitch, occasionally things have not been the same with Lebone Seema and Sibisi. The latter is needed to bring his experience into play and avoid exposing his goalkeeper.

Makhehlene Makhaula

The reigning Midfielder of the Season started the season with an injury, but the position was well covered by Sihle Nduli, who served the team well until an unfortunate injury as well that has kept him on the sidelines until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old is expected to control the tempo in midfield, provide cover for the back four and most importantly break the counter-attacks played through the middle.

Relebohile Mofokeng

The 21-year-old Bafana Bafana international has played his best football this season when playing in the No. 10 role. As a matter of fact, he scored three goals and provided two assists from the position, but has struggled to impress in the last two fixtures, where he was played wide.

It is interesting to see where coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will play him on Saturday, but regardless, he is one unpredictable player. He can dribble, assist, score and most importantly, create something out of nothing!

Yanela Mbuthuma

Currently, Mbuthuma is the only match-fit striker at the club as Evidence Makgopa continues to recover from an injury. Well, two goals and an assist in the last five games are decent numbers, but not that good considering the number of fine chances he has missed.

This will be his first Soweto derby, and what better way can he make his name than by scoring? The former Richards Bay forward makes some good runs, which makes it easier for midfielders to track him and his movements.