With the Soweto Derby held at the FNB Stadium, the Kaiser Chiefs will host the Orlando Pirates in the Premier League.

The 51-year-long competition between these traditional giants continues, and they are all trying to regain their vitality in the alliance.

The Chiefs and Buccaneers have been trying to maintain consistency this season, and standing out from this bragging battle with Derby can provide the winner with the spring needed to launch an improved campaign.

After nine games, these PSL heavyweights were separated by two points and they were closer in the standings. The Buccaneers ranked sixth and Amakhosi ranked seventh.

If the Pirates win by five goals, they will jump to fourth place, and the Chiefs’ victory will place them fifth in the standings.

While preparing for the derby on Thursday, the Chiefs were injured by a torn Achilles tendon of experienced defender Sifiso Hlanti.

Reeve Frosler may be left back for the Chiefs, while Sibusiso Mabiliso and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya are other options for coach Stuart Baxter.

With Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro recovering from their respective operations, the chiefs are still disabled.

Another attacker, Lebogang Manyama, is still injured, and Dumisani Zuma has been a major issue despite participating in full training in the past few weeks.

Defender Siyabonga Ngezana will not participate in the Soweto Derby either.

Due to a knee injury and missed the last game against Sekuhouni United, the pirate captain Happy Yeller is still the main doubt encountered on Saturday.

There are also concerns that the health of defender Olisa Ndah lasted 70 minutes in the victory over Sekhukhune.

The Pirates co-coach Mandela Nichkazi has been praying for the Nigerian defender to recover in time in the derby.

But if he is excluded, Kwanda Mngonyama or Ntsikelelo Nyauza will team up with Thulani Hlatshwayo as the defensive core.

At least their goalkeeper dilemma ended after the return of experienced gloveman Wayne Sandylands, who could represent Siyabonga Mpontshane.

But Ghana's top ranked Richard Offry is still injured.

Innocent Maela, Thembinkosi Lorch, Frank Mhango and Zakhele Lepasa have not yet solved the fitness problem.

This will be the sixth Soweto Derby duel in an empty stadium since 2020.

As South African fans slowly returned to the stadium, Safa stated in early October that the Soweto Derby could be played in front of stadium audiences.

The Chiefs entered the game with Derby bragging rights, because they were the last team to win the league games of both sides.

Amakosi defeated the Pirates 1-0 in March 2021, ending the short-term dominance of their opponents.

After a 0-0 tie in regular time, the Chiefs also defeated the Pirates with a penalty kick in August, winning the Carling Black Label Cup penalty kick.

This may be a preseason game, but Derby's bragging rights still exist.

However, Baxter's team entered the derby against the backdrop of a defeat after losing their last game at home to Stellebos on Tuesday, ending four undefeated games.

On the other hand, the Pirates went from defeating Sekhukhune 2-1 to recovering from four games without savoring victory. 

Compared with the Chiefs’ three victories, the Buccaneers have won 5 of the past 10 derby games, and the two games ended in a tie.

In these games, the Buccaneers scored 16 goals and Amakosi scored 11 goals for a total of 27 goals.

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