It is that time of the year when the whole country comes to a standstill, football lovers at the workplaces, parliament, schools, churches, taxis, busses and trains, all argue about who the best is between Soweto arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

This clash of the Titans scheduled for Saturday, 15 March 2003 at the FNB Stadium at 3:30pm, has already gripped everyone with much fanfare and fever. Thousands of people

have already started to flood the Computicket outlets in the quest to secure a place at the Soccer City.

At a media briefing attended by both clubs' representatives and Premier Soccer League executives, the Amakhosi spokesman, Putco Mafani, didn't mince his words when he spoke about the plans his club had to set records straight this time around, “Pirates were lucky in the first round to escape narrowly like a cat and earn an undeserved point.

There is no running around this time we will close all four corners of the ground to make sure the black cat can't jump over. If it does it could cause havoc with the Premiership title

and the value of the Rand would go down, we can’t afford that. We have a good squad that’s knows this agenda and our players are ready to make our supporters smile. We have a full squad with the exception of David Kannemeyer who's out for 2-3 weeks due to an ankle injury," said a confident

Mafani.

Orlando Pirates will not sit back, they will be firing with all cylinders because they know the three points from this game will widen their chances of clinching the league title.

AmaBhakaniya’s PRO, Thabiso Parkies was brimming with confidence as he outlined his charges’ plans: "There is a lot

at stake whenever the two giants meet and the pride of the mighty ghost is also at stake. With the league’s log standing at the moment, the writing is on the wall, we are on our way to the championship and nothing will stop us.

"Our supporters expect our players to deliver and give good results. So it’s come one come all, all of you the Ghost," said Parkies with unwavering confidence.

One thing’s for sure, when two bulls meet, it’s the grass that suffers.

Entertainment on the day was outlined, featuring some great artists from SONY Music, the likes of award winning Mafikizolo of the “Hamba nawe” fame, Vuyo Mokoena and Jabu Khanyile, launching their new album and Sabata from

Joyous Celebration. Music will be galore between the games and at half time of both the curtain raiser and the main attraction.

In the curtain raiser game Chiefs Legends will seek to revenge their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Pirates Masters when they lost 4-1 at the FNB stadium on December 7, 2002. These heroes of the yesteryears will clash at 12H30 in a fierce game that is also expected to thrill the crowds.

As part of its social responsibilities with government, the Khomanani messages of the Circles of Support will be communicated repeatedly through the PA system and leaflets/flyers, which will be distributed at the stadium.

"We are committed to the partnerships we have forged with government, and it will be our small contribution to the masses of this country to help communicate very crucial messages of the Circles of Support, like the Child grants, which many of our people are still not aware of and the hotline numbers used when one seeks more information," said Mafani.

Games of this nature have always raised concerns when it comes to the safety and security of the fans but PSL CEO Trevor Phillips is confident the plans in place will ensure a friendly user and safe environment for all.

"This game is a category ‘A’ game and we have left nothing to chance when it comes to security. We are fully aware of the magnitude and interest this game is already generating, if one takes into consideration the log standing of both clubs, in particular Pirates, who will be fighting to keep their heads above.

"We have a similar plan like the one we successfully implemented during the first round derby encounter and it will be an all ticket affair, i-Tikiti ezandleni. We are continuously holding meetings with all relevant stakeholders to ensure absolute safety," said a determined Phillips.

Tickets have been selling at R15 at the Computicket outlets since Friday last week and the queues are long. The demand is great. With the ticketing company set to double its deployment of staff on match day, there will be an

additional R2 for the tickets bought on Saturday, meaning that on match day tickets will be selling for R17 at the outlets and at the stadium.

Amakhosi Supporters’ club Gold Card members will be ushered through VIP gate to the reserved seating are in front of the media center.

For further information please contact Putco Mafani 082 991 0977 or 011 941 1465.