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Going into the match both sides understand this game is more than just another league encounter, none more so than the Amakhosi midfield veteran, Tinashe Nengomasha.
After being a part of the Chiefs team for over nine seasons the Amakhosi hard-man highlights the importance of the game, “This is not only about football. This is about tradition and trends that have been set before us. There is a staunch rivalry between the two clubs; a rivalry some people have died for.”
Chiefs lost their unbeaten record after going down 1-0 at home to Santos on Wednesday night. Still, the Amakhosi have remained second in the standings but now find themselves four points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
On the loss to Santos Nengomasha said, “We were not happy to lose that game. We were the better side for the majority of the match. But that is behind us now and we are fully focused on winning the derby game. We love to see the Amakhosi fans happy and winning the derby game will do just that.”
In retrospect, Pirates, after a goalless draw away to AmaZulu in midweek, have dropped to sixth place in the standings and the Buccaneers will be looking to improve their home record against Chiefs. At home Pirates have only picked up four points from three home matches thus far.
Nonetheless, despite both team’s forms coming into the game the Pirates coach, Ruud Krol, knows not much can be read into league performances this season, “Form goes out the window in this derby. It is the team on the day that hits form that will win and hopefully that will be Pirates. The one thing I can say is the derby is unpredictable. Nobody can forecast the result.”
In head-to-head terms, this will be the 50th official league meeting of Pirates and Chiefs since 1985. The Amakhosi have won 20 games to Bucs’ 11 and 18 games have ended in draws.
Recently though, Pirates were able to get the better of Chiefs by knocking them out of the MTN8 Cup at the semifinal stage. The Buccaneers then went on to win the MTN8 title.
Of the loss to Pirates in that competition, Nengomasha admits his side is out for revenge, “Since winning the MTN8 Pirates believe they are invincible. They are like a lion who has tasted blood and now they want to hunt. But we won’t let them hunt us. We are looking for revenge and we want to get it on Saturday.”
In response Krol suggested he does not need to motivate his players for this massive game, “I do not need to motivate or prepare the players. Every player wants to shine in the derby. The eyes of the country are on them.”
Nengomasha’s final word on the matter was one for the Chiefs fans, “There would be nothing better than a win against Pirates. It would be the perfect early Christmas present for the fans.”
