Soweto derby Kaizer Chiefs Zwane

Kaizer Chiefs host Orlando Pirates in another blockbuster Soweto derby on Saturday, 25 February. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs

Zwane v Riveiro: Who will come out on top?

There will be a fascinating battle of wits between Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane and Pirates counterpart Jose Riveiro in Saturday’s Soweto derby.

Soweto derby Kaizer Chiefs Zwane

Kaizer Chiefs host Orlando Pirates in another blockbuster Soweto derby on Saturday, 25 February. Photo: Twitter @KaizerChiefs

This week, Chiefs have publicly backed Zwane after an inconsistent season, but despite the support of club bosses there is no doubt that ‘10111’ will be desperate for a win after four defeats in Amakhosi’s last six DStv Premiership matches, and eight losses this season overall.

No other side in the current top eight has lost more games than Chiefs, and with only eight victories in 20 games to date, there is a real sense that this is a must-win match for Amakhosi.

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In the opposite camp, Riveiro will not be on the bench for Orlando Pirates as he serves out his two-match suspension following a red card in the a recent Nedbank Cup clash.

However, his influence would have been keenly felt during the build-up to this match, with the Spaniard having led Pirates to third place on the DStv Premiership table after some encouraging form of late.

ZWANE’S LEAGUE WINS THIS SEASON

3-0 vs Maritzburg United (home)
1-0 vs Richards Bay (home)
2-1 vs SuperSport United (home)
2-1 vs Swallows FC (away)
3-1 vs Stellenbosch FC (away)
1-0 vs Orlando Pirates (away)
2-0 vs Lamontville Golden Arrows (away)
2-0 vs Royal AM (home)

RIVEIRO’S LEAGUE WINS THIS SEASON

1-0 vs Swallows FC (home)
1-0 vs Royal AM (away)
1-0 vs Marumo Gallants (home)
2-0 vs TS Galaxy (home)
2-0 vs Lamontville Golden Arrows (away)
3-1 vs Lamontville Golden Arrows (home)
4-1 vs Stellenbosch FC (home)
2-0 vs Marumo Gallants (away)
2-1 vs Maritzburg United (home)

ALSO READ | CHIEFS ICON KHUNE MAKES MASSIVE CALL FOR NEXT SEASON

Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, Zwane said he wasn’t concerned about his job despite increasing pressure

“As far as I know, I’m the head coach of Kaizer Chiefs. I’ve always been saying the club has a plan. And it [his job] doesn’t matter and as much as we need three points and want to win every game.

“We’re not happy with where we are,” he added. “We could have done better by a long way, but as I have said, injuries and many other things have happened. But I’m happy with our progress.”

Meanwhile, Riveiro said the expectation was for another hard-fought affair despite some contrasting fortunes in terms of the two teams’ recent form.

“It’s going to be a rough game, very equal like before, like the game we played in the Carling Cup as well,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to see big surprise in the way to approach the game. Both teams, we’re trying to do things in our own way.

“The reality is that we’re just three points ahead of Chiefs in this moment. It’s true that in the recent games our results were better but I try to not be focussed on the results. I try to be focussed on their strengths, what they can be good [at].

“The games that we played before this one are not going to be played on Saturday.”

Kaizer Chiefs news Orlando Pirates Soweto Derby
Chiefs and Pirates fans. Image: BackpagePix