It’s well known that the Soweto Derby contested between the country’s biggest football clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has failed to match its hype for a better part of the last decade or so.
The results, lack of goals and poor quality football showcased in recent derbies have left much to the imagination.
But the latest edition of the occasion, again contested at the home of the Soweto Derby, Soccer City, formerly known as the FNB Stadium, has all the makings in reminding soccer lovers across the country why the Soweto Derby is considered one of the biggest football games in the world.
The storyline behind the latest clash is intriguing, with both teams within a chance of lifting the Absa Premiership for the first time in some time – with log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, as things stand, apparently the front runners in hoisting the title come May.
All eyes and pressure are on the Phefeni Glamour Boys who are suddenly under threat in losing their top spot thanks to a run of poor results and the resurgence of the chasing pack featuring the likes of their fiercest rivals, the Buccaneers, and defending champion Mamelodi Sundowns.
Despite winning the reverse fixture against the Sea Robbers in a 3-2 humdinger and leading the log, if form is anything to go by, Chiefs come in as underdogs and it will be interesting to see how they approach the game because at this stage of the season, the best thing log leaders can have is cushion and room for error as it neautralises the pressure of having to constantly win to keep the chasing pack at bay.
And a draw will not exactly suit the Gold and Black with their rivals breathing down their necks.
It’s at these times of the season where teams with pedigree thrive, and no team has it more than Sundowns who are just four points behind Amakhosi. A defeat to Pirates will probably cut the gap to one point, with this writer seeing it improbable for Sundowns to drop many points from here going forward.
With the men from Pretoria having more experience to deal with the pressures of a run-in, they are well on the money to overhaul Amakhosi.
A defeat to Pirates will only serve to pile on more pressure on coach Ernest Middendorp and co. and being under pressure, it’s easy for the wheels to fall off.
Amakhosi have already begun to show signs of breaking down under pressure and their rivals, Orlando Pirates in this instance, know it: Chiefs have more to lose.
On the flip side, however, pressure can act as added motivation. Good news for Amakhosi fans is that form has never mattered in the Soweto Derby which, unlike the multiple of derbies in recent years, is again difficult to predict.
We know what Pirates will bring: pace, attack, attack and attack. With Chiefs’ recent dip in form and having their number-one spot to protect, it’s hard to tell what they will bring to the club’s biggest derby in years.
So, how does this writer see it? It’s simple really: if Chiefs lose against Pirates, Sundowns will retain their title. If Chiefs win, the Absa Premiership will return to Naturena for the first time in since 2015. – @SabeloBoksburg
