The stage is set for a blockbuster double dose of Soweto Derby action as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates prepare to lock horns in two of the biggest encounters of the season – first in the Betway Premiership this Saturday, and then again in the Nedbank Cup Final on May 10.
South African award-winning actor and passionate Amakhosi supporter Wiseman Mncube has weighed in on the coming clashes, offering both cautious realism and bold confidence in his beloved Kaizer Chiefs.
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“We desperately need to collect those points. We need the three points,” said Mncube, speaking ahead of the league encounter.
“But I feel like the game will end in a draw. I’m talking about the first of the upcoming two Soweto derbies, and I feel like it will end in a draw, because I think both teams will play cautiously thinking about the Nedbank Cup Final,” he added.
With Chiefs battling to secure a Top Eight finish, every point matters – but Mncube believes that both sides may hold back slightly, preserving energy and avoiding injuries ahead of the cup showdown.
“This weekend, I don’t think the players will go all out in the way they would do if there wasn’t another derby coming,” he said.
“But like I say, we do need the three points, and I will be very happy if we get the win although I feel the game is going to end in a draw.”
When it comes to the Nedbank Cup Final, however, the Shaka iLembe star is brimming with confidence.
“For the Nedbank Cup Final, we will beat Pirates. That’s the game I am confident we will win, and my prediction is that it will end 1-0 in our favour,” concluded Mncube.
The derby double-header promises fireworks – with pride, silverware, and log positions all on the line.
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Can Chiefs rediscover their form under Nasreddine Nabi, or will Jose Riveiro's Pirates stamp their dominance once again?
One thing is for sure – South Africa will be watching.
