Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi believes form will count for little in the Soweto derby as a lot more will decide the outcome of the match.
Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in the first installment of the Soweto derby at an already sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday February 1 and the Buccaneers have been termed as favourites to win.
This is because Jose Riveiro’s team have claimed three straight derby wins and are second on the log with 27 points, six more than fifth-placed Chiefs, and with a match in hand.
However, the tactician says the game will be won by the team that will be more prepared on the day and not which has been doing well recently.
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“In Kaizer Chiefs we see a team that is an opponent that we need points from, and we're just going there to try to get three points. Where the points are taken is something else that has not been calculated. For us it's about trying to play and try to win the next match,” Ncikazi told the media on Tuesday.
“The margin between the two teams is narrow. Defensively we're almost similar, chance creation we're similar but the only difference is on goals conceded. They've conceded more [16] but any other stats are almost the same.
“The margins are not as big except for the log positions and the goals conceded. We'll try to focus on what we think we're doing better than them.
“But again, we must remember it's a derby, form and records don't apply. It's what happens on the day and we'll try to focus on our performances so we can get a result.”
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With both Chiefs and Pirates having unleashed a number of young players this season, Ncikazi is delighted that coach Jose Riveiro has put his trust in youth with the club benefiting greatly from the goals and assists of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota.
“It's impressive what our team has done. In one match we played seven DDC [Dstv Diski Challenge] players and the opponents [Chiefs] are doing the same,” he added.
“For me, I will say the experience they [the young players] have gathered from us playing in the Champions League and against the biggest teams in Africa, I think it's enough experience.
“I don't see them being overshadowed by the moment. We believe in them and the coach trusts them. If given an opportunity I'm sure they'll perform.”
Ncikazi has also paid glowing tribute to Riveiro for bringing stability to the team, having joined in July 2022, a two-and-a-half-year stint that has so far yielded five trophies.
