These are the pick of Zimbabwean stars that will headline two Gauteng derbies in the ABSA Premiership, as battles to win the league, achieve personal restoration and survive the drop enter defining moments for various clubs.
Kaizer Chiefs had dropped four points from two draws since the resumption of the race after the Afcon break, but still remained at the summit after weekend games. Orlando Pirates were breathing hard on their neck, three points adrift but with a game in hand and Platinum Stars remained the surprise package that lurked ready to close in on those that slip-up.
Pretoria clubs remained out of it, but with Esrom Nyandoro back in the best form of his life and wearing the armband at intervals, their rejuvenation under Pitso Mosimane stuck the favourites tag on their forehead ahead of the Pretoria derby on Saturday, where battle will be focused more on territorial supremacy and finding out who ends better and in the top eight than anything else. Barring injury, sickness and suspension, Nyandoro is sure to start the Loftus Versfeld game and so is Method Mwanjali, equally impressive thus far.
Should Nyasha Mushekwi fail to get a starting berth, he could still come on as an impact player for The Brazilians. For Simba Sithole, this could turn out to be more of an emotional affair than just a football game between SA soccer’s two bitter rivals. The Warriors striker is out to show Sundowns that the word “REJECT” is not the best tag to put on a lethal striker’s forehead.
Signed from Caps United two seasons ago, he was flushed down the drain from Chloorkop without kicking the ball in a competitive game for the Pretoria giants.
Having rejuvenated himself with Dynamos, the lethal striker is still fresh at Matsantsantsa a Pitori and this could turn out to be the grand stage he needs to curve a niche for himself in the echelons of South African soccer.
However, the world-acclaimed Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, which attracts millions of viewers worldwide, will once again be the epitome of the backyard wars, with each of the clubs fighting for league supremacy.
Pirates had become accustomed to winning again, six trophies in the last two seasons making them one of the biggest achievers of the last decade, but failure to make good their fight for the league crown could send panic bells ringing and signal the beginning of another barren 10 years for “The Ghost”.
Chiefs see the Nedbank Cup as another trophy to fight for and look set to progress to at least its quarterfinals, but Pirates have come out of every battle for any other piece of silverware with nothing but bruises to nurse.
Nkhatha, Katsande, Mathew Rusike and Lincoln Zvasiya are all eligible to play for the Amakhosi, but Coach Stuart Baxter has usually used the first two, with Rusike playing at intervals, while Zvasiya has fallen down the pecking order – Morgan Gould, Tefu Mashamaite and Eric Mathoho exchanging positions in central defence.
Whenever he has come on, either as a substitute or in the starting line-up, Nkhatha has never failed to make an impact and the striker, with blistering pace, strength and a lethal foot, will surely be one of the men to watch at the FNB Stadium.
Well-supplied by Siphiwe Tshabalala and ably supported by either Lehlonolo Majoro or Bernard Parker, the Zvimba-born Nkhatha could be the man to win it for the Naturena giants, who are currently playing their best game in years.
Takesure Chinyama showed what he is capable of, when he banged in four goals against the Comoros’ Djabal FC in the CAF champions two weeks ago as Pirates pulverised the visitors 5-0, but Chiefs are different ball game.
The Zimbabwean, who has already impressed Roger de Sa’s technical team, could start or come in for Zambian Colleens Mbesuma, but will surely be expected to take part in the game that could give clear indications of where the 2012/13 league crown will land.
Earlier in the year, the two sides ground out a 1-1 draw. The Amakhosi had lost only once in 20 games before midweek games against the Bucs’ three losses and therefore, on an even-keel. But statistics usually count for nothing in the Soweto Derby and any side could win it, so it is game on.
Post published in: Football