Posted in News on Jul 20, 2006.
The Buccaneers had won the inaugural Vodacom Challenge the year before defeating Tunisian outfit Esperance 4-1 in the final and Chiefs had to be content with third place after losing their first game to the Tunisians they managed to defeat ASEC Mimosa of the Ivory Coast in the third, fourth play off. Although the result of the play off game was elementary, there was one important outcome from the game and that was one of Chiefs goal scorers in that game was a young man by the name of Jabu Pule.
Since the inaugural tournament The Amakhosi have made it to the final on every other occasion, winning it no less than three times and have been finalists on two more occasions, which have given them an impeccable record in the event. Going to Thursday’s play off match with Orlando Pirates, Chiefs will be happy to know that history most definitely is on their side, the last time Chiefs lost a game to Pirates was a year ago in the Vodacom Challenge.
When Pirates narrowly defeated Chiefs to win the 2005 event in Durban, that result has been the only time Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has tasted defeat at the hands of the old enemy. Since then, Chiefs have won three games in a row against the Sea Robbers, which included home and away victories in league games during the 2004-2005 season, as well as victory in the ABSA Cup Final albeit via penalties.
Ernst Middendorp will be looking to keep up the Indian sign he has over Pirates as he has in the past proved to out-think and out-maneuver his Pirates counterpart whether it be Kosta Papic or Tebogo Moloi, as he was the more astute tactician in recent battles with Pirates.
With the way the two teams opened up their Vodacom Challenge campaign’s the good money will be on Chiefs but the coach is wary about getting carried away “this game is a game about who will have done their home work and other preparations better. I really don’t know what to expect from Pirates tonight in terms of who will take the field for them, they have played two matches in the past couple of days and I am not sure whether they will give some guys a rest or play with their strongest team”.
The Chiefs coach is aware that this game is more than just an exhibition game the result could have a wider impact “for us it is important to defeat Pirates as we would like to play Man United again, it will mean a great deal in psychological warfare for us to come out on top”.
As far as his teams preparations go for the match Ernst is convinced that they have been thorough in reading themselves for the Challenge of Pirates “we have worked hard over the past few weeks and I am glad to see the progress and development being made by the team. It was evident against Manchester United that the team played well as a unit they supporter each other and it was nice to see that they covered well for one another, one other aspect of our game that pleased me was to see the good one touch football we played”.
On Tuesday evening the Amakhosi literally matched their Premiership opponent pound for pound as they pushed United all the way, Ernst is confident that his team will put in a similar display against Pirates. The Chiefs coach said “we have proved in the past that whenever we play against the best teams we always play above what we are expected to give and I would not see anything different from us against them on Thursday”.
Middendorp has also said that there could be a number of changes to the Chiefs starting eleven on Thursday adding “during pre season preparations it is important to give as many of the guys the opportunity to get some game time and we could shuffle our pack around a bit”.
Chiefs will be looking for victory against Pirates on Thursday as they hope to play United a second time before the Premiership giants leave the country on Sunday, Ernst Middendorp will also be hoping to leave the Bafokeng Sports Palace with his proud record against Pirates in tact.
Past Vodacom Challenge Results between Chiefs and Pirates
2000 Vodacom Challenge Final
July 2nd
ABSA Stadium, Durban
Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Lucky Maselesele 87 min) 0 Orlando Pirates
2005 Vodacom Challenge Final
July 24th
ABSA Stadium, Durban
Orlando Pirates 2 (Mbele 38 min, Muape 72 min) Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Radebe 90+3)
Vodacom Challenge Head to head Chiefs Vs Pirates
P W D L GF GA
Chiefs 2 1 0 1 2 2
Pirates 2 1 0 1 2 2
<p.*Chiefs have wont the Vodacom Challenge on three occasions in 2000, 2001, 2003 and in addition they were finalist in 2002 and 2004.
*Pirates won the inaugural Vodacom Challenge in 1999 and defeated Chiefs in the 2005 final, for their two Vodacom Challenge titles.
Chiefs results Vs Pirates with Ernst Middendorp at the helm
July 25th 2005, ABSA Stadium Durban, 2005 Vodacom Challenge Final
Orlando Pirates 2 (Mbele, Muape) Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Radebe)
Premier Soccer League,
October 29th 2005, FNB Stadium Johannesburg
Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Obua, Schalkwyk) Orlando Pirates 0
December 10th 2005, FNB Stadium Johannesburg
Orlando Pirates 0 Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Obua)
ABSA Cup Final, 20th May, ABSA Stadium Durban
Kaizer Chiefs 0 Orlando Pirates 0
Chiefs win 5-3 on penalties
Chiefs Pirates head to head with Ernst Middendorp as Chiefs coach
P W L D GF GA GD
Chiefs 4 3 1 0 4 2 2
Pirates 4 1 3 0 2 4 -2
