CHIEFS ON THE RISE Kaizer Chiefs and its fans will fancy their chances against Orlando Pirates in their Soweto Derby Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Orlando Pirates will be the heavy favourites for the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, but will the rising AmaKhosi be able to pull a fast one over their old foes?
Chiefs have quietly worked their way up to fifth in the Betway Premiership table after a 2024 they would prefer to forget. In 27 matches across all competitions last year, Chiefs won just seven matches and collected six victories in their 24 league encounters.
With Nasreddine Nabi at the helm though, it appears that Chiefs are slowly rising back up the local football landscape.
Last weekend, Chiefs avoided any kind of hiccup against third division outfit Free Agents in their Nedbank Cup clash. Chiefs eased to a 4-0 victory to book their place in the last 16.
It’s no disrespect to Free Agents though, to say it will be an entirely different prospect for Chiefs this weekend when they line up against Pirates at what will likely be a packed FNB Stadium.
Much has also been made of Chiefs’ inability to bang in the goals, but it’s actually not as big a problem as it might seem.
Chiefs have, in fact, scored the third most goals this season in the league with their 17 strikes. Only Pirates (22) and table-toppers Mamelodi Sundowns (24) have scored more.
Their defence is more of a concern. While Chiefs have scored 17 in the league, they have conceded 16. Only two other teams have conceded more, as AmaZulu (19) and Marumo Gallants (23) have the two worst defences in the league.
Of course, a Soweto Derby tends to be a cagey affair and the most common result is a draw. However, Pirates have won the last two league meetings against Chiefs, with the two before those going the way of Chiefs.
It seems then that Chiefs and Pirates could be well-matched, and the pressure could be less on AmaKhosi to go out and grab a win.
Pirates will still be favourites though, but don’t bet against Chiefs just yet.