Daniel Akpeyi will make his Kaizer Chiefs debut in this afternoon’s Soweto Derby. The Nigerian international will be the man in between the poles against old foes Orlando Pirates as Itumeleng Khune’s long-term injury lay-off has kept him out of contention.

In front of Akpeyi, who joined at the end of the summer transfer window, will be an unchanged back four from the previous outing against Cape Town City.

Bernard Parker captains the side as he will be anchoring the Glamour Boys’ quest to close the gap on the log leaders. Willard Katsande will start from the bench.

Leonardo Castro returns to the starting line-up where he, together with Bernard Parker and Khama Billiat, will be looking to add to their Soweto Derby goal tallies.

The trio will be relying on the creativity and services of Maluleka, Hendrick Ekstein and golden boy Happy Mashiane whose fine performances have earned him yet another start and thus his first taste of the Derby.

This afternoon’s clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is the 166th instalment of the Soweto Derby. Kick-off at FNB Stadium is scheduled for 15:30.

The referee will be Abongile Tom.

Chiefs XI: Akpeyi (40); Moleko (18), Cardoso (4), Hadebe (20), Ntiya-Ntiya (36); Ekstein (27), Maluleka (31), Mashiane (19), Parker, captain (25); Billiat (11), Castro (8)

Subs: Bvuma (44), Mphahlele (2), Ngezana (30), Zulu (22), Katsande (31), Ntshangase (10), Páez (9)

Head coach: Ernst Middendorp

 

Pirates XI: Sandilands (30), Jele, captain (4), Ndengane (21), Mbekile (37), Maela (23); Motshwari (27), Mlambo (20), Nyatama (14), Pule (45), Lorch (3); Shonga (12)

Subs: Mabokgwane (16), Munetsi (33), Mako (29), Makola (5), Mahachi (7), Mulenga (17)

Head coach: Milutin Sredojević

 

Referee: Abongile Tom

1st Assistant: Athenkosi Ndongeni

2nd Assistant: Tshepo Nojila

4th Official: Johannes Moshidi

Match commissioner: Job D. Smith