JOHANNESBURG – Kaizer Chiefs’ coach, Steve Komphela, has a long list of why sparks will fly in Saturday’s Soweto Derby against their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium.
This spectacle of a match has finished in stalemates in their last four league meetings, resulting in it being called a “drawby” and not helped by the low-scoring nature of this contest.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane could even stomach failing to stretch their lead at the summit by playing to a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United while Amakhosi and the Buccaneers are chasing them. Mosimane argued the Soweto Derby will produce another draw that would see the Brazilians continue to sit at the top.
But for the first time in a long time, Chiefs and Pirates are both in the league race which means a draw is out of the question as it will harm their chances of pushing Sundowns unto the end.
“I think that this is going to be a defining match for South African football,” Komphela said. “From a tactical point of view the setup of both teams is similar (3-4-3). I want to see what is going to happen since we are both playing three at the back so well.
“I want to go back and watch the match on Sunday to observe the trends. There is something that 3-4-3 gives a team. I foresee sparks.
“One, from an attacking point-of-view both teams are very offensive. Two, the setup in terms of pressing is similar. It’s going to be a highly pressing game. It might even get to a state where there is chaos pressing, the ball almost rattles left, right and centre.
After the match on Sunday there must be a definition of where the game should go in South Africa, which is a primary responsibility for Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns - we should define our national game.”
Chiefs missed out on an opportunity to cut Sundowns’ lead to just three points going into the final stretch by playing to a goalless draw with Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday at FNB Stadium. Amakhosi lacked aggression that a team in the league race needs, especially with a strong defence that has consistently protected Chiefs - any lead they take is worth gold.
“The aggression that you are talking about is the killer instinct to be more ruthless,” Komphela said. “It’s one thing that we regret not having. Did we highlight that? Yes. Saying stuff and doing stuff is slightly different.
We regret not collecting maximum points because it would have cut Sundowns’ lead to just three points. We would have loved to see tigers and lions coming out there, showing utmost ambition. We have to take criticism and learn from that.”