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The sold-out signs prove that fans cannot wait for the next exciting clash of the titans on Saturday.
It has been far too long since we last had such a seemingly balanced Soweto derby – this clash could also decide the 2019/20 PSL season.
One has to jog the memory to recall when last this nation-gripping match posted so many possibilities.
Chiefs are top of the Absa Premiership log, but their lead has been dramatically reduced in the past fortnight, while Pirates’ sudden turnaround has ensured they have become serious title challengers.
Chiefs might have to draw from the fortunes that, at one stage, saw them 15 points ahead as Pirates languished in sixth place.
Meanwhile, the third-placed Buccaneers are in a strong position to break Chiefs’ hearts and close the gap to a mere three points with a win on Saturday.
Amakhosi will have to deal with the prolific Gabadinho Mhango and, at times, the irrepressible Vincent Pule.
Pirates will also have to have their heads in shape to deal with the aerial power of Chiefs’ Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic.
Schlacht der deutschen: Battle of the Germans
This will be the first time that German mentors Josef Zinnbauer and Ernst Middendorp face each other.
Since his arrival in the country in December, Zinnbauer, who immediately assumed the “JZ” tag, has transformed Pirates into a well-oiled machine. The players seem to be enjoying themselves under the leadership of the 49-year-old – they play as a unit and are prepared to die for each other.
They are not only grinding out results, they are also great to watch as they play entertaining and enterprising football.
While it looks like JZ has managed to stabilise the Bucs’ defence, which was shipping in goals from set pieces (they have not conceded more than one goal per game in the league since he arrived), they will be facing a real test on Saturday.
Chiefs, on the other hand, seem to be predictable under Middendorp as they mostly rely on their aerial power to unlock their opponents.
They have mastered the art of using their aerial advantage to good effect as most of their goals have come from either crosses or set pieces. But Amakhosi seem to run out of ideas and easily get frustrated if plan A does not work.
Unless they can come up with some surprises, it will be easy for Pirates to plan how to face Amakhosi.
Winner takes all
For the first time in many seasons, this game has more than just bragging rights at stake as it will impact the challenge for the league honours.
Both sides have enjoyed good form so far and would want to continue with it.
Neither of them can afford to lose on Saturday, especially with Mamelodi Sundowns lurking four points shy of log lead.
A win for Chiefs will stretch the gap between them and Pirates to nine points, while a victory for the Bucs will close the gap and speed up their league chase.
After their defeat to Maritzburg United last weekend – their third loss this season – Chiefs are hoping to bounce back and tighten their grip at the top of the table.
With one German fighting to retain pole position and the other revitalising a sleeping giant, as well as a relentless chasing pack at both teams’ heels, Saturday’s game demands that einer muss sterben (one must die).
Khune or Akpeyi?
The big question is, between Itumeleng Khune and Daniel Akpeyi, who will man the goal for Chiefs?
Although Amakhosi were undone by Akpeyi’s mistake that led to United’s opening goal last weekend, Middendorp has maintained that the Nigerian is still number one.
It remains to be seen if he the coach continues to show confidence in him.
Potential match winners
Pule has come of age and has been impressive in the past few games for the Buccaneers. The left-footed midfielder has the potential to unlock Chiefs’ defence and find the back of the net – he always seems to find himself at the right place at the right moment. His only downfall is that he tries too hard and his decision-making often lets him down.
Lebogang Manyama seems to have rediscovered the same form that saw him walk away with the PSL footballer of the season award in 2017. He has been instrumental in Chiefs’ sterling display so far, and has also chipped in with a few goals.
Missing in action
After missing last weekend’s win over Black Leopards, midfielder Fortune Makaringe is expected to reclaim his place in the team. But Pirates not being in action this weekend means three weeks of inactivity for him, which might affect his sharpness on match day. Others in the same boat are Ben Motshwari and Abel Mabaso, who have been out due to injuries. There will be question marks about their match fitness.
Race for the golden boot
Apart from the three points at stake, another sideshow will play out within this fixture in the form of league top goal-scorer award candidates Mhango and Nurkovic.
So far, Mhango is leading the pack with 14 goals, with Nurkovic only three strikes behind.
That Thembinkosi Lorch has also started scoring for Pirates should help lift the burden off Mhango as the main source of goals for the Buccaneers.
Chiefs forward Leonardo Castro has chipped in with seven goals in the campaign.
Just like Mhango, Castro was on the scoresheet during the squad’s past two outings – in the league and in the Telkom Knockout – when Amakhosi overcame their township rivals in both games in November.
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