With Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs set to clash in the Soweto derby this weekend, a lot will be at stake as both giants of South African football have been showing signs of improvement, at least in terms of their most recent results.
The Buccaneers and Amakhosi will meet at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday from 15h30.
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Chiefs come from a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Golden Arrows at the same venue on Tuesday night, which was their first victory of the new year that will go a long way in lifting the mood in the camp.
On the other hand, Pirates have had some good results, including their 6-0 victory in the Nedbank Cup to progress to the next round.
Many have predicted that there isn't much to play for in the league this season as Mamelodi Sundowns look to be cruising to another title defence, with the team sitting comfortably at the top of the log with more than a 10-point gap to their closest rivals.
Football analyst and ex-professional footballer, Junior Khanye, believes that Chiefs can get the better of Amakhosi if they can plan correctly.
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"It's the Soweto derby and therefore anything to do with history doesn't count when we are talking about this game. This is one game that won't depend on whether the team is on form or not but on what happens on the day. In terms of the team sheets for both teams, Pirates have got the upper hand. But on the field things can be different," said Khanye, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
"This is a game that is not easy to predict the outcome of, but I think Chiefs can do well. Against Golden Arrows last night, it was good to see coach Cavin Johnson trying some combinations and it's just that he doesn't have enough players. That's why I didn't agree with the statement that he didn't need to sign any players in January. That was a wrong statement. In terms of combinations, I would like Chiefs to continue but I would also like to see the team dominating from the first to the last whistle. Without saying much, Chiefs are going to win the derby. The win against Arrows will be good enough to motivate the team to do well against Pirates. I am sure that for the players they know that it is going to be make or break," he said.
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