Kaizer Chiefs must bring their scoring boots along to take down Orlando Pirates in Soweto derby

Comment by Mihlali Baleka

Kaizer Chiefs are in a race against time to ensure they finish the Premiership in the top eight – a feat they could make strides in achieving that feat this week.

Chiefs will face arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

You see, the odds are against Chiefs winning this match as their ninth-place on the standings, and inconsistency have been their downfall this season.

Yes, Chiefs have blown hot and cold this season as they only have 30 points to their league campaign, despite playing 26 games out of 28.

Their rollercoaster ride has seen them miss out on the league title, and two domestic competitions - the MTN8 and Carling Knockout.

They could, however, change things in the next two games as they’ll face Pirates in back-to-back derbies, including the Nedbank Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.

Sure, the clash in Durban could ensure that they end their 10-year drought, but they can’t think that far – they need to ensure they win in the league on Saturday.

Chiefs have to win the derby as that would see them make strides in their pursuit for the top eight as something that eluded them in the previous campaign.

The Amakhosi haven’t been convincing in the last two league games as they drew with Chippa United before they lost to Marumo Gallants at home, the Calabash, last Saturday.

Coach Nasreddine Nabi has been vividly upset about the team’s run of form, so much so that he needed to give a lengthy post-match talk after the loss to Gallants.

He said they needed to pick themselves up and not give up on their campaign as the two Soweto derbies could still save their season.

Chiefs lost the reverse leg in the league in February as they went down courtesy of Patrick Maswanganyi’s Panenka in stoppage time of the game.

However, they showed that they have what it takes to step up in big games as they played well in that game, directing traffic from start to play.

Chiefs played better in that game, and were kept in the match due to the heroics of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, who has since transgressed since that game.

Bvuma has conceded a lot of goals, and was responsible for the two against Gallants.

It was the wrong match for Bvuma to make those mistakes, because it didn’t only deprive them of the win, but played into the criticism of Itumeleng Khune.

The legendary goalkeeper said his protégé didn’t adhere to his advice ‘to fight for the No 1’, as he was just happy to play with him at Chiefs.

Bvuma has a chance to make up for shortcoming this season, though, as two clean sheets in the next two games could revive his confidence ahead of the new season.

Sure, clean sheets are important, but Chiefs need to score as well.

They’ve struggled in that regard, and that’s why they need to ensure that they bring their scoring boots in the derby.

The likes of Wandile Duba, Ashley du Preez, Makabi Lilelo and Tashreeq Morris have produced some important contributions on attack, and can become Chiefs legends if they find the back of the net against Pirates.