Orlando Pirates receive MAJOR boost ahead of Soweto Derby! 

Orlando Pirates are set to enter this weekend’s Soweto Derby against arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs with their tales up following last weekend.

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Pirates produced an emphatic display to dispatch Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 in the MTN8 semifinal second leg, booking themselves a ticket to the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Chiefs game another high profile encounter

But before they get to that big cup finale, Pirates will be playing in their second high profile encounter in two weeks when they face Chiefs. The Buccaneers will enter the fixture at the FNB Stadium as favourites, as they have the momentum of the results and subsequently confidence factor above Amakhosi going into this crucial encounter. 

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If that was not enough, Pirates have been given an additional boost as one of their key players and squad leaders has made a timely return from injury. Speaking at the club’s gala event in Sandton on Tuesday ahead of the derby, goal keeper Richard Ofori declared himself fully fit for the match against Chiefs, putting his hand up for the occasion in the process. 

Ofori provides big boost

“I started training on last Thursday and I trained again on Sunday and Monday, so everything is going so well, I’m recovering so nice. I hope to be in the (Pirates) squad in the derby” Ofori said as per The Daily Sun. 

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Even though Chiefs have entered yet another slum, Ofori is still weary of what they can produce and the Ghanaian international has insisted that they will not underestimated Arthur Zwane’s side.

Pirates remaining humble

“After winning two games, the third one is always hard because they (Chiefs) played 0-0 against AmaZulu. They are coming to the eager to make their fans proud and they know how important the game is. We (Pirates) are prepared and we are doing everything to stay calm and humble because we are professionals. As professionals you must be humble in every situation, like a wise man once said, ‘ you can’t write off a big team’ we know the task ahead of us and we are ready for it”. Ofori concluded.

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Siyabonga Mpotshane has once again filled in with great aplomb in the absence of Ofori keeping two consecutive clean sheets since coming for Pirates. It will now be interesting to see if coach Jose Riveiro will stick with the veteran goal minder or immediately rope his vice captain into the fray for the big occasion this Saturday.