Teams: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 29 February 2020
Venue: FNB Stadium
Soweto will once again be divided as Orlando Pirates and table-topping Kaizer Chiefs lock horns in the Absa Premiership this afternoon.
Chiefs will be aiming to get back to winning ways after back-to-back league and cup defeats to Maritzburg United and Highlands Park respectively, although the loss to the Lions of the North last weekend in the Nedbank Cup last 16 was via penalty shoot-out.
Ernst Middendorp's charges are still top of the log but the loss to Maritzburg came at a price as their lead was reduced to just four points by second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
On the other hand, Pirates are in red-hot form, having extended their winning run in the league to six games after edging Black Leopards 1-0 thanks to a stoppage time own goal by Thabiso Mokoena two weeks ago.
The Buccaneers are also unbeaten in the league since Josef Zinnbauer took over the reigns from Rhulani Mokwena in late December last year.
Pirates' great form has seen them climb up to third on the table and they now have a chance to challenge for the title as they sit just six points behind Chiefs, although they have played a match more.
Amakhosi ended a nine-match winless run against the Buccaneers in the league after edging their rivals 3-2 in the reverse fixture in November last year, just a week after beating Pirates in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals on penalties.
Pirates: 30. Sandilands, 28. Dube, 23. Maela, 4. Jele, 2. Nyauza, 6. Motshwari, 3. Lorch, 15. Makaringe, 7. Mhango, 11. Memela, 45. Pule.
Subs: 1. Delle, 27. Ndengane, 16. Mabasa, 29. Mako, 8. Ndlovu, 18. Dlamini, 17. Mulenga.
Chiefs: 40. Akpeyi, 18. Moleko, 39. Frosler, 3. Mathoho, 4. Cardoso, 31. Katsande, 12. Maluleka, 6. Baccus, 8. Castro, 21. Manyama, 9. Nurkovic.
Subs: 16. Khune, 20. Sasman, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya, 25. Parker, 11. Billiat, 5. Akumu, 28. Zuma.
