/ 9 February 2009

Birds aim for derby double

Moroka Swallows are aiming for a historic Soweto derby double when they host Orlando Pirates in their Absa Premiership match at Rustenburg’s Olympia Park on Sunday. Kick-off is at 3.30pm.

The Birds gunned down their Soweto ”big brothers” Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in a pulsating Soweto derby played at the same venue on Saturday night, thanks to two goals by the striker nicknamed ”AK 47” — Sandile Ndlovu.

That win has seen the high-flying Birds emerge as dark horses in the race for the Premiership title.

Should the Birds beat Bucs, it would be the first time in Swallows’ history they would have won back-to-back league derbies against both their rivals, Chiefs and Pirates.

Win, lose or draw against title-chasing Bucs, the Birds have already made history by doing the league double over Amakhosi. Swallows defeated Chiefs 2-0 — also at Olympia Park — in the first round of the league last October.

Birds assistant coach Zeca Marques said that part of Birds’ revival was down to what he termed the ”spirit of togetherness” in the squad.

”The solid team spirit is one of our biggest assets.”

Marques agrees a win over Pirates would underline Swallows’ credentials as genuine title challengers. ”We are flying more like eagles than Birds these days. If somebody had told me at the start of the season we would beat Chiefs twice in the league, beat Ajax Cape Town away and be in a challenging position for the league, I would not have believed them. But we have achieved wonders so far.

”We have progressed beyond recognition and we keep getting better. But nobody is getting carried away. If we can beat Pirates, then a lot of clubs chasing the title will have to sit up and take notice.”

Pirates defeated the Birds in the first round of the league and are also a much-improved side under coach Ruud Krol.

Krol would have taken notice how easily Birds’ midfielders and strikers Ndlovu and David Radebe were able to get past Amakhosi defenders and cause problems.

Bucs are minus their new glamour striker, Katlego Mashego, who was sent off in Bucs’ 0-0 draw against Santos at the Athlone Stadium also on Saturday. Mashego faces an automatic two-match ban.

Marques said Swallows had grown as a team this year. ”All the players, including those who come off the bench, have made a huge impact and that is the sign of a good side.”

Marques added that the Birds were able to soak up a lot of pressure from Chiefs, especially when Kaizer Motaung Jnr scored in the 90th minute to make it 2-1 with four minutes of referee Robert Sithole’s optional time to play.

Said Marques: ”We did not panic, we kept our composure against a very good Chiefs side and ended winners.”

The Birds defence was solid and Sibusiso Khumalo and Brazilian central defender Davi Rancan stood out, while the key to the Birds’ success lies with the classy and workaholic captain and midfielder general, Lefa Tsutsulupa, who like good wine improves with age and has been rewarded by another call-up to Bafana Bafana for Wednesday night’s friendly against Chile at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium. — Sapa