Soweto derby - who has the edge?

Dikgang Mabalane of Orlando Pirates © Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix

Dikgang Mabalane of Orlando Pirates © Barry Aldworth/BackpagePix

Published Oct 30, 2015

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As Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates prepare to square up tomorrow, Matshelane Mamabolo weighs up the two sides against each other and concludes that the derby will once again be a closely-contested affair that will be won by the team that makes best use of their opportunities.

While he believes that Amakhosi must stick to their line-up, which has been steady in recent matches, Mamabolo is of the view that the Buccaneers should shake things up a bit for the derby.

After all, Pirates are without five of their main players, and what better chance to test the rest of the fringe players than in a derby.

In any case, he argues, Steve Komphela is such an excellent profiler of the opposition that the best chance Eric Tinkler has of outfoxing him is by fielding a bold line-up that his adversary won’t see coming.

Amakhosi will shade it – only just given their stronger strikeforce

Kaizer Chiefs

GOALKEEPER

Itumeleng Khune

Though he has been in and out of the team, Khune has returned with a bang and showed on Tuesday against Black Aces that he remains SA’s No1 with splendid saves in the second half that ensured Chiefs victory and got him the Man of the Match award. A brilliant shot stopper, he is excellent in commanding the box and supreme in dealing with high balls and crosses. He is also more of a sweeper and particularly adept at turning defensive situations into attacks with his fantastic and quick deliveries into play. 9/10

DEFENCE

Siboniso Gaxa, Erick Mathoho, Ivan Bukenya, Tsepo Masilela

From being the most miserly defence last season, the heart of the Chiefs rearguard has chopped and changed since the departure of Tefu Mashamaite as Komphela looks to find a partner for Mathoho. Komphela said he was please with how Bukenya has settled alongside Tower, but the Ugandan is not the most solid. 6/10

MIDFIELD

Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Willard Katsande, George Lebese

Shabba is having a fantastic season and his link-up play with the forwards as well as his set-pieces have been the key to most of Chiefs’ successes. And with Katsande returning from suspension as a sub on Tuesday, Chiefs’ defence will enjoy the usual cover the Zimbabwean hardman provides. Yeye and Lebese looked a bit off colour on Tuesday, but on their day they are both capable of delivering success, Lebese being Chiefs’s leading scorer so far. 8/10

FORWARDS

Camaldine Abraw, Edward Manqele

This new pairing have kept Bernard Parker on the bench, and with good reason as they are capable of destroying opposition. Abraw will go into his derby debut in high spirits following strikes in his last two games. The Togolese is equally deadly in the air and on the ground and has an excellent eye for the gap and brilliant positional sense. Manqele works hard and appears to have a telepathic understanding with Tshabalala. His ability to run away from his markers make him a big threat. 8/10

THE BENCH

Reyaad Pieterse; Kgotso Moleko, Lorenzo Gordinho; Lucky Baloyi, George Maluleka; Bernard Parker, Siphelele Mthembu

The one thing Komphela will be wishing for is to not have any injuries in defence given the unavailability of seasoned campaigners Siyanda Xulu and Morgan Gould. But in midfield and attack, as well as in the goalkeeping department, the Chiefs’ coach has players who will be able to deliver should he need them to come on at any point in the match. 7/10

Total: 38/50

 

ORLANDO PIRATES

GOALKEEPER

Filipe Ovono

The Equatorial Guinea No1 should return to the starting line-up after sitting out Wednesday night’s defeat to Arrows – following his blunder against Wits. Whether his confidence would have been restored as he goes into his first derby remains to be see. But he has shown in the CAF Confederation campaign that he has the big match temperament so necessary in this clash. 7/10

DEFENCE

Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tshepo Gumede, Thabo Matlaba

This is seemingly a headache department for the Buccaneers technical team as evidenced by their chopping and changing it in recent matches – albeit sometimes due to injuries. Sangweni’s quality and experience is well known and though not regularly used, Tshepo Gumede – a solid rightback who has played against Chiefs on many occasions and did well – will be better than using Gymah out of position. Nyauza and Matlaba are naturals at fullback and will keep their opposite numbers pinned in their own half. 7/10

MIDFIELD

Thabo Rakhale, Thandani Ntsumayelo, Gift Motupa, Mpho Makola

Tinkler’s best bet here is to go for broke and attack Chiefs full on. And having Rakhale fully fit again, as well as Mpho Makola, will achieve that goal. They are both tricky players who can score goals. It is in the heart of midfield where the coach will face a headache. Who does he choose for the holding role? Issa Sarr is prone to gifting the ball away and Ntsumayelo hardly ever finishes a game. Against Chiefs, the best option would be to use Edwin Gymah given his defensive ability and his no nonsense attitude which should trouble Letsholonyane and give the defence ample cover. Throwing in the gifted Motupa into the deep end should throw Chiefs off. In any case many a young players became superstars because coaches were brave to blood them in this massive match. 8/10

FORWARDS

Thamsanqa Gabuza, Kermit Erasmus

This one is a no-brainer, the two strikers having developed an excellent working partnership. But the Bucs technical team might be tempted to give Leholohonolo Majoro a start against his former side. Still Gabuza and Erasmus have what it takes to deliver. 7/10

THE BENCH

Siyabonga Mpontshane; Ayanda Gcaba, Issa Sarr; Thabo Qalinge, Thandani Ntsumayelo; Mpho Mvelase, Lehohonolo Majoro

Without the likes of Brighton Mhlongo, Happy Jele, Oupa Manyisa and Sifiso Myeni –all of whom are injured – and the doubtful Rooi Mahamutsa as well as suspended Lehlohonolo Masalesa, the Pirates bench is bereft of experienced campaigners. But in Majoro they have a potential game-changer. - 6/10

Total: 35/50

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