THE FIRST BITE OF THE SOWETO DERBY IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Orlando Pirates lock horns with their arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs in their first betWay premiership sold out Soweto Derby match at the FNB stadium on Saturday. This will be Jose Riveiro’s sixth Soweto Derby while Nasreddine Nabi will get his first taste of this electrifying encounter as these two giants square off at the calabash this weekend.

The Soweto giants both go into this encounter high in morale as they won their previous games in a domestic cup, with The Sea Robbers winning 3-1 against Richards Bay FC while Amakhosi thrashed Free Agents FC 4-0, but all these will be forgotten as form and previous results won’t matter on the day, as the match will be about who wants it the most.

The Buccaneers currently lie second spot on the premiership table with 27 points from 11 games, six behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with a game in hand, but also six ahead of their Soweto rivals who have played three games more, who currently occupy fifth spot. But despite Chiefs being in fifth place, Riveiro insisted they should sit higher up on the log.

“I think Chiefs is playing really well this season. I don’t think that the log is a reflection of Chiefs performances in the league so far – I’m honest,” said Riveiro during a joint press conference at the Soweto Theatre.

“They are creating a lot of chances in each and every game, they are playing an attractive football – that’s the same we are trying to do in Pirates. If we are both, let’s say loyal to the football we were playing in the previous games, I think it’s going to be an interesting game for the fans.”

Both coaches {Riveiro and Nabi} chose to keep their cards close their chests, opting not to reveal much, but both shared the same sentiments in saying that they are looking forward to the match on Saturday and that it promises to be a great spectacle for them, players and fans all round.

Kickoff time for the match is set for 15:30.