Battle Of The Giants

February 19, 2010 by The SportLite

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There’s a distinct vibe in the air – everywhere you go – taverns, taxi ranks, schools and offices – everyone is talking about the upcoming match between rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. This is not just about Soweto – this is the biggest sporting encounter in the country and South Africa will be torn in half – you’re either Black & Gold or Black & White. The shops will close early – the streets will be empty – everything else will have to wait – at least for 90 minutes.

Well, that’s the intro I would’ve penned back in the 80′s or even 90′s. The thing is the Soweto Derby doesn’t create that kind of vibe anymore – so much so that former Chiefs striker – the legendary Brown Shuga, confessed on this website that she wasn’t aware of this fixture until a few days ago – that should tell you something.

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However – these teams are blessed with millions of (other) loyal fans and despite both of them being out of the running for league honours this season – Orlando Stadium will be packed to capacity on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of thousands of fans – carrying enough loaves of bread to feed a starving country - all of them hoping their team of choice will take all three points and salvage whatever pride they have left.

Okay, let’s have a look at the facts – Kaizer Chiefs definitely goes into this game as the better side – leading Pirates by two points – which could’ve easily been five points if their midweek fixture against Aces was not called off due to bad weather conditions. Krol’s men had the opportunity to pass Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night – but they were stopped in their tracks and beaten 2-1 by a determined Maritzburg United side.

The Sea Robbers started the league campaign like a house on fire – leading most to believe that they were tired of the recent near-misses. This was all revealed to be false hope when they dropped a number valuable points in the middle spell of the season – thanks to their familiar system of playing promising football and then shooting more blanks than Parsons Matabane. Despite having only six losses under their name – the Buccaneers have drawn so many (12) they could easily teach an art class.

Chiefs on the other hand had an opposite run – The Glamour Boys had a horrible start but a series of good results in the middle saw them rising back to league contention – only for them to flop when it mattered most…kinda like…(no …it’s not that kinda site). Chiefs can hide behind the excuse of having a new coach and a fairly young squad – but that argument will not work for Ruud Krol who had a team that almost won the Championship last season – brought in a number of players to strengthen the squad – but currently has a team that plays like they hardly know each other’s first names – let alone strengths and weaknesses.

Chiefs have a better scoring record – having managed to put the ball at the back of the net 35 times compared to Pirates’ disappointing 25 – but Bucs have a better defensive record – retrieving the ball from the net 17 times compared to Chiefs’ worrying 24 . There’s really not much to choose between these teams – and I was quite amazed when I heard fans from both camps making empty threats on football shows – most of them based on habit rather than anything factual.

shaba Form means nothing when it comes to these big games – but I honestly do not see how Pirates can beat anyone in their remaining games – in fact I reckon the boys from Orlando would struggle to beat an egg right now…using an eggbeater.

The first match between these teams ended in a dull goalless draw - a match that was so boring it made pulling my hair out one by one seem like a fun activity – but I predict a couple of goals on Saturday.

I can’t believe I’m saying this – but I agree with Brown Shuga on this one– I also see this game ending 2-1 in favour of Kaizer Chiefs.

Bafana player Simphiwe Tshabalala will open the scoring for Chiefs – a lead which will be extended by Abia Nale – with Gert Schalkwyk putting one past his former team.

Pirates’ recent form: D-D-D-W-L

Chiefs’ recent form : W-L-W-D-D

Date : 20 February 2010 (Saturday)

Kick-Off : 15h30

Venue : Orlando Stadium ( SOLD OUT)

TV : SABC 1 & Supersport 4

By The SportLite ©

Battle Of The Giants

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