Former Orlando Pirates winger, Thulasizwe 'Juju' Mbuyane, has compared the match between Bucs and Mamelodi Sundowns to the Soweto Derby.
Read: Free State Stars Player Passes Away In Car Crash
With the Buccaneers gearing up to host Downs in their crucial Absa Premiership match at Orlando Stadium tonight, Mbuyane has weighed in on the rivalry between the Buccaneers and the Brazilians.
"All sports are defined by their big rivalries and in South Africa, the football rivalry is defined by the Soweto Derby but I think since Sundowns' emergence over the years as one of the biggest clubs in the country it was only natural that a strong rivalry would develop between these two sides. I think that is because Orlando Pirates has paved the way to success and Sundowns has always been desperate to emulate and possibly try to surpass it," Mbuyane told Pirates' official website.
"The rivalry however is intensified now that Sundowns has won a continental title where Pirates were the only team locally that held it for a long time. The race to see who will get the second star first makes things exciting and the fact that this coming game could potentially decide where the league title is going means that everyone is up for it," he added.
Read: Cheeseboy On Bucs V Downs Clash: 'All-Out Attack'
Sundowns go into the match sitting on top of the PSL log with 43 points, while Pirates are in third place and on 40 points.
"It's even in the stands before kick-off where you see that the rivalry is passionate and sometimes intense. With this being our home game, we need to have that stadium full to capacity. I know from personal experience that players often channel the positive energy from the stands and you already start winning the game mentally which drives you to excel on the field," said Mbuyane.
The match tonight is scheduled for 19h30.
SLTV: Larsen: This Team Won't Go Down
