Who will reign supreme in the battles of Soweto and KwaZulu-Natal in this weekend’s action in the Absa Premiership?
Struggling Kaizer Chiefs visit Lamontville Golden Arrows at Princess Magogo Stadium today (6pm), while the high-flying Orlando Pirates welcome the hobbling Maritzburg United to Orlando Stadium (8.15pm).
Amakhosi are going through testing times under the tenure of the Italian, Giovanni Solinas. They are five points behind the leaders, Pirates, having amassed 18 points in 13 league outings.
The uninspiring Amakhosi will be looking to get back to winning ways having dropped points in their previous encounter, against Chippa United.
Chiefs are still bruised having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Pirates in the semi-final of the Telkom Knockout but they put that disappointment behind them midweek, sinking Zimamoto of Zanzibar 4-0 in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Khama Billiat was the chief-destroyer, netting a hat-trick, and all eyes will be on him once again.
Arrows will want to make it difficult for Billiat and company, especially since they are on home turf.
Coach Clinton Larsen elaborated: “We’ve had 20 days to prepare for Chiefs and work on our weaknesses. We’ve been working on our attack. Divine Lunga is back with us and so is Danny Phiri.
“We look forward to playing Chiefs. The last time we played them at home, we won. We’ve got to show the same intensity which saw us winning that game.
“Chiefs have struggled in defence. I’m sure they are not happy with some of the goals they have conceded. We hope to take advantage of their defensive frailties. We will strive to put pressure on that defence.”
The last time these two sides met in the league it was at Princess Magogo Stadium, and Arrows got the better of Amakhosi, winning 3-1 - and they will be hoping to replicate that performance.
“We will never be complacent against Chiefs. They are above us on the log. They have a good attack and if they are unchecked they can hurt you,” Larsen said.
“They have Billiat, Dumsani Zuma and Lebogang Manyama. They pose a serious attacking threat.
“We lost our last game and we want to finish the year on a strong note. We want to get closer to the likes of Cape Town City and Polokwane City.
“This game is huge for us. We want to improve our home record and the only way to do that is by winning this game.”
Maritzburg United will be hoping to do the unthinkable against the impeccable Buccaneers.
Pirates are shooting everything that is in front of them these days, and are unbeaten in their past 12 matches. Pirates are at the summit of the table, and are in the final of the Telkom Knockout. They are scoring goals like nobody’s business, and is seems everything they do these days turns to gold.
While Pirates are unbeaten in 12 games, Maritzburg are winless in their last seven. The KZN Midlands side are 14th on the log with nine points.
By the end of today we will know all the answers as to who has bragging rights between Soweto and KZN.