ORLANDO Pirates Abdeslam Ouaddou and Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Khalil Ben Youssef lead their players in a press conference.
Image: BackpagePix
The Soweto derby is set to divide the country on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off) when Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs at a sold-out FNB Stadium in Soweto.
This clash is key in the two teams’ pursuit of a strong finish in the Betway Premiership. Pirates are gunning for the title, though their fate is out of their hands, while Chiefs are eager to finish in the top three.
On this week’s episode of the Independent Media Football Podcast – The D-Line – hosts Malibongwe Mdletshe, along with regular panelist Mihlali Baleka and debutant Smiso Msomi, who is also the group’s senior football writer, preview the derby.
The trio looks at how this clash could impact Pirates’ title charge if they are to drop points, with Mamelodi Sundowns breathing down their necks and also having a game in hand.
Given their defeat in the first leg, the podcast also analyses where Chiefs have improved since then, considering they are also enjoying a purple patch, thanks to five wins and one draw in their last six matches.
Granted, a derby win for Amakhosi might possibly end Pirates’ title hopes, but would that still be enough to hand the duo Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef the coaching reins on a permanent basis, given the ups and downs of the season? They analyse that.
But before getting to that and more – including the panel putting their heads on the block to pick their derby winners – the show begins with a review of the Motsepe Foundation Championship race, led by Kruger United, and its impact on the Betway Premiership relegation battle, which includes Orbit College, Marumo Gallants, and Magesi.