It is that moment when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chief negotiate for the 3 points. The Soweto giants are engaged in a derby this afternoon fighting for the bragging rights and the ABSA Premiership title. Pirates robbed Chiefs of R8 million in the MTN-8. Amakhosi are 2nd and the Bucs are 3rd on the race. They will both want to topple a Pretoria side, Mamelodi Sundowns. The Jozi teams have been a shadow to the Tswane rivals, Supersport United for far too long and the championship should be coming home soon.
Common knowledge as it is that local derbies are self motivationary, Knowledge Musona's form will be key. The Zimbabwean can win any match single handedly. Abia Nale will be a man to watch for the Bucs. Itumeleng Khune is a shot stopper of choice and could have played his football overseas if someone was not greedy. Mandla Masango has not done much to deserve a mention.
The Glamour Boys of Naturena fired blanks against Santos, much to the disappointment of coach VV. That loss showed how much Chiefs are a normal team and having nothing special about them. For them to have a shout today, they need to come out all guns blazing to dispatch the Sea Robbers. The Ghost will be intending to haunt Chiefs once and for all to prove that the victory in the MTN-8 semi-final was no fluke.
Both teams progressed to the Telkom Knockout Cup and meet each other in the final for yet another derby which will be a final. It has been a long while since we have seen a proper derby final and these league derbies will be setting the tone for the bigger one. As of now, it is a fight for points and just as important. Pirates have been like a new Mercedes Benz S-Class until the last match. Chiefs were more or less been like a E-Class, being less imposing.
Chances are that Isaac Chansa will be dictating things in the middle of the park to clip down the wings of Siphiwe Tshabalala and Rene Letsholonyane. Clifford Mngomeni has been a revelation for Pirates. Andile Jali is evergreen and his ball distribution will be a cause for concern for Chiefs. The Happy People will also hope in the industry of Happy Jele as a ball winner with Chansa.
It will only be seen this noon who is actually less nervous or too desperate to win it. Coach Krol will be hard pressed to lift his team's scoring spirits after the disappointing 0-0 with Amazulu at the Princess Magogo.
The pressure of one of the much anticipated fixtures in the world, among the Manchester Derby, Barcelona vs Real Madrid, River Plate vs Boca Juniors, Santos vs Sao Paulo and Vasco da Gam vs Flamengo, may make it a lazy and boring affair.
Tactically, teams may cancel each other out and squeeze the juice out of the orange before the match even kicks off. Very few goals have been scored and usually at the dying minutes when concentration levels just crush. Set pieces are usually the deciding factor and it will be seen how much far the teams have matured after the experience of the players after the weekend results.
Will the ghost haunt the chief? If the dry bones come together, there may be no shine for the Glamour boys.
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