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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa was content to take just a point from their match against Chippa United as they head into Saturday's Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers played to a goalless draw with newcomers Chippa at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, and although a win would have closed the gap on pacesetters Amakhosi to just a point, De Sa was pleased not to have lost the match in Cape Town.
"Last year we came here three days before the Chiefs game and lost 3-0 to Santos," De Sa said.
"At the end of the game, did we win a point or lose two? I think after having a look at the game we probably won a point.
"It's important we didn't lose this game going into the derby. The fact that we lost here last year and didn't lose this game, perhaps that's a positive.
"It was a case of a glass half-full, half-empty, but we are still in touch (with Chiefs at the top of the log)."
The former Wits mentor was thrilled to be part of the biggest game in South African domestic soccer.
"I've had the fortune to attend quite a few derbies, sitting in the stands or the boxes," he said.
"It's a great spectacle from the supporters' view. I don't know what it's like on the bench.
"As a player (for Swallows and Sundowns), I switched off to everything around me when the game started, and (the crowd and the atmosphere) was a blur.
"The way the clubs are at the moment, it will be huge. I mean, it's sold out 10 days before the kick-off. That's unusual in this day and age."
