Orlando Pirates are tipped to once again dominate their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs, with former defender Lizo Mjempu backing the Buccaneers to cruise to victory in Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Pirates recently edged Chiefs 2-1 in the league and followed that up with another 2-1 win over Golden Arrows on Tuesday. With momentum clearly on their side, the Buccaneers will now shift all focus to lifting the prestigious cup for a third consecutive season.
Mjempu Confident in Pirates’ Quality
Mjempu, who turned out for Pirates in the 2011/12 season, firmly believes the Buccaneers will come out on top again. “I’m fully aligned with those who believe Pirates will win again. I just don’t see Chiefs pulling off an upset,” he told Soccer Laduma.
He attributed his confidence to the clear gap in morale. “Pirates are full of belief right now, while Chiefs look unsure of themselves. Confidence is everything.”
Fatigue Not a Concern, Says Riveiro
Despite Pirates’ packed schedule, coach José Riveiro brushed off concerns around fatigue. Speaking after the win against Arrows, he praised his squad’s commitment.
“Many players came into the starting line-up for the first time, and it’s not easy to compete under these conditions. But we showed we came to fight, and I’m proud of the performance,” Riveiro said.
While Pirates chase another trophy, the pressure is mounting on Kaizer Chiefs to deliver something positive in a largely forgettable season. Should Amakhosi cause an upset, it would be their first piece of silverware in a decade – a moment their fans have been desperately waiting for.
Miguel Reflects on a Disappointing Campaign
Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel admitted that even a cup win would not mask the club’s overall decline. “We have to be honest with ourselves that it was a bad season,” he told Sowetan Live. “Even individually, I set goals I didn’t achieve. We’ll be happy if we win on Saturday, but we won’t forget the bad results.”
Chiefs currently sit ninth in the Betway Premiership table, level on 30 points with Chippa United and at real risk of finishing outside the top eight for a second consecutive season. With four matches left for Chiefs and Chippa having five, the fight for a top-eight finish remains tight.
Despite the struggles, Miguel acknowledged that victory in the Nedbank Cup would be a moment to savour. “This is a big club… it’s something else. There’s no bigger club in Africa than Chiefs, for sure. This is more than a club, this is a nation,” he said.
Nedbank Cup Kick-Off Set for 3.30pm in Durban
The second Soweto Derby in the space of a week kicks off at 3.30pm on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Pirates are favourites based on form, but Chiefs will be fighting for pride – and the chance to end a painful decade without silverware.
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