No friendlies when Soweto giants meet

ANOTHER pre-season, another Carling Black Label Cup tie between Orlando Pirates and sworn enemies Kaizer Chiefs. Except that this year’s campaign promises to be quite different, given that it will be played without the main contributors – the supporters.

The supporters are the decision makers in this encounter: responsible for selecting the starting line-ups, captains, penalty takers in regulation time and early substitutions.

That the game will be played behind closed doors at Orlando Stadium today doesn’t mean it must lose the touch of being a ‘Soweto derby’.

There are no friendly matches between two arch-rivals and both teams will know the importance of going into the new term on a high note.

Last year this encounter, which has been won by the Buccaneers five times and Amakhosi on three occasions, was cancelled due to the delayed conclusion of the season amid the coronavirus pandemic. That’s why it’s only returning for the ninth edition this year.

There are no favourites heading into this encounter, given that the teams have had contrasting preseasons. Pirates had a long rest after completing their season early in

June.

Chiefs, on the other hand, only concluded their season last month, having played in the final of the

CAF Champions League where they lost to 10-time champions Al Ahly.

But there’s some guarantee in this match: both sides will be eager to show their supporters they are ready for the new season. After all, it's been a while since a Soweto giant won the DStv Premiership.

Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns have won the championship for the last four successive seasons, with Chiefs and Pirates’ triumph dating back to 2015 and 2012 respectively. But next season must be a time where their fans will believe they can rule the land again.

Pirates aim to continue building from last term after keeping the bulk of their players, adding only Kwanda Mngonyama, Goodman Mosele and Bandile Shandu, while Monnapule Saleng was loaned to neighbours Swallows FC. \

Pirates’ third spot finish was deemed not good enough by ‘the Ghost’, despite the team ending their six-year trophy drought after winning the MTN8 title.

That’s why coach Josef Zinnbauer will know that there’ll be no room for inconsistency in his team next term At the Village in Naturena,

Chiefs’ headquarters, the winds of change have been blowing in the last few months. Stuart Baxter, the coach who inspired them to the league title, their last piece of silverware six years ago, has returned for a second spell.

His ‘boss’ is his former Bafana Bafana assistant and successor Molefi Ntseki, who was also hired in the past few months.

After their transfer ban was lifted at the end of June, Chiefs raided the transfer market, making no fewer than eight new signings so far.

Their biggest coup has been Bafana international Keagan Dolly who’ll don the coveted No 10 jersey. Dolly spent the last four years in France, playing for Montpellier FC. He, however, has a more decorated career here at home after an impressive stint with Sundowns.