Johannesburg : Orlando Pirates feel motivated as they prepare to face Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby on Sunday. However, Amakhosi should avoid focusing on revenge. Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi said seeking revenge would be a dangerous tactic that could give his team an advantage.
Fans get another big match after Mamelodi Sundowns’ showdown with Esperance Sportive de Tunis at Loftus Versfeld Stadium last Saturday. The Brazilians secured a spot in a second consecutive CAF Champions League final.
Meanwhile, coach Miguel Cardoso’s Sundowns team returns to league action against Stellenbosch FC at home on Wednesday night. A win will take them back to the top of the standings. Turning back to the match at the iconic FNB Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Amakhosi approach the clash looking to recover after their heavy 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in February.
Goals for the 1995 African champions came courtesy of Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, who were all on the scoresheet.
Ncikazi, who has served the club for five seasons, told the media this week that if Cedric Kaze and his technical team focus on revenge, it will help the Buccaneers. “If they come with a revenge mentality, that’ll…work better for us. In our team, we prepare for all scenarios and any type of approach, we will be ready,” Ncikazi told journalists at Pirates’ media open day.
“I am here as a servant. I enjoy the fact that I serve the club. At ten past six, I am here every day without fail. I have never been late. It excites me to see young players doing what they are doing, developing before my eyes, taking chances on players who have never played.
“Seeing the transformation excites me. We used to have no players in the national team; to see a galaxy of players in all national teams excites me.”
The Naturena-based Chiefs sit third on the log, 12 points behind Pirates, but they have one game in hand on the Sea Robbers. Ncikazi also commented on the competitiveness of the eagerly anticipated Soweto Derby. “This match is going to be highly competitive based on the fact that both teams have been in good form of late,” added the former Golden Arrows mentor.
“Both teams have won five of their last seven games. Twenty-nine goals scored by our team, 12 by the opponent…They’ve conceded only three goals, and we’ve conceded four, so from that sample, it already shows that margins will be narrow.”
Fans from SADC countries like Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe usually flock to the Soweto Derby. The match kicks off at 15:00 (CAT).
Chiefs Winger Wanted in Libya
Chiefs could lose winger Glody Lilepo, who is wanted by Al-Ittihad in Libya. Former Masandawana and Pirates coach Rulani Mokwena, now managing Al-Ittihad, has asked his bosses to table a strong offer for the talented Congolese winger. A source close to the developments told Phakaaathi that the Libyan giants will table an offer for Lilepo at the end of the season.
“Rulani Mokwena likes Glody’s playing style and has asked the Al-Ittihad management to try and get him from Chiefs. The club has agreed to his request and will submit an enticing offer to the Chiefs at the end of the season. It will be up to the Chiefs if they accept the offer or not,” revealed the source.
The informant confirmed that the Soweto bigshots are ready to entertain offers for the 28-year-old, whose contract expires in June next year.
Lilepo joined Chiefs on a two-and-a-half-year deal from French club Valenciennes FC in January last year. He scored six goals and made one assist in 15 league appearances for Chiefs during his debut 2024/25 Betway Premiership season, quickly becoming a fan favourite. This season, he has contributed eight goals and provided three assists across all competitions.
