The young guns will be to the fore as Chiefs take on Pirates in the seasons biggest game Ntuthuko Maphumulo This is the beginning of a new era of derby matches for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. In their second clash since the April tragedy at Ellis Park, where 43 supporters died, the nations top teams will showcase their youngsters in a match vital to both sides. The ageing stars on both sides will be absent and a host of new players will take up the huge task of maintaining the derbys traditions. Pirates, a team beset by boardroom problems, will have to start gaining more victories and re-establish confidence if they are to defend their Premier Soccer league (PSl) title. Pirates will march into the stadium lifted by their 1-0 victory against Amazulu that gave them the three points and lifted them to fourth in the table. Buccaneers coach Jean Yves Kerjean is oozing confidence as his youngsters showed they were up to scratch on Tuesday. One of the most impressive youngsters Kerjean has roped in is striker lesley “Slow Poison” Manyathela, who is scoring goals alongside Bennedict Vilakazi. But credit should also go to in-form midfielder Joseph Makhanya, who has been providing the strikers with brilliant scoring opportunities. This is not taking anything away from Steve lekoelea, the player once touted as the next-best thing, whose fall from grace has been spectacular. Mbulelo “Old John” Mabizela made his return back to Pirates after a two match suspension to help marshal the defence. The unavailability of Jabu Pule due to a red card received during the Supersport game has had serious repercussions for Chiefs, whose recent form has taken a nosedive with two successive defeats 2-3 to Supersport and 1-2 to Hellenic. Operation Clean Sweep (Chiefs bid for all the trophies this season) is on hold. Chiefs this week announced they had found the last piece of the puzzle by signing utility left back David Kannemeyer, who is likely to play this Saturday.
Chiefs must win this game if they are to have any hope of winning the league and theyre advised to learn from last seasons mistakes that games in hand do not necessarily mean points in the bag. The recent defeats of the glamour boys have left them 10th in the league, well adrift of league leaders Moroka Swallows despite having games in hand. The derby at FNB stadium will see the reunion of many members of the under-23 squad that went to the Olympics in Sydney last year as both clubs boast players from this group of talented youngsters.
Ownership of the R250-million FNB stadium in Johannesburg was transferred from the bank to the South African Football Association (Safa) this week. Safa did not pay any money but some concessions were worked out between the parties, including that the bank retains naming rights to the stadium for 10 years.
Safa intends completing the stadium and building a hotel, a high-tech office block and a school of excellence at the complex.