FNB Stadium


Saturday 15 March 2014


15h30 kick-off

The Soweto derby will take centre stage in the Absa Premiership this weekend when Kaizer Chiefs visit Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 15 March 2014.

Coach Stuart Baxter has declared his outfit ready for the sold out Soweto Derby. Baxter also expressed the lack of proper preparation due to the tight schedule that his Team is facing.

"We are under pressure in terms of the schedule but we have to get on with it. We have held only two full training sessions in the past two months. The schedule is tight but we will be ready to compete against Pirates on Saturday,"commented Baxter.

The Amakhosi started the year with some of the players committed to National Duty during the Chan tournament and currently Chiefs is participating in CAF Champions League where they reached the 2nd round.

Chiefs suffered a first league defeat since November last year when they were beaten 2-0 away by Platinum Stars in midweek.

"The lads have responded very well to the situation. We have been rotating the squad and managing injuries and fatigue at the same time. Pirates have experienced a similar situation before. We are prepared though, and look forward to the game," said Baxter.

The Soweto giants have claimed 20 points from their 11 away matches so far this season.

The Amakhosi are placed first on the Absa Premiership log with 43 points from 20 matches.

"The lads have done well so far to be at the top of the log at this stage. We have a full squad to choose from with Itu (Khune) being the only player ruled out of this game due to injury. Bernard (Parker) is back in the squad and ready to play on Saturday. It is a continuous process of managing the players's injuries and fatigue, but we will do the job on the day," commented Baxter.

In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Chiefs have met in 56 league matches since 1985. The Amakhosi have 22 wins compared to 12 for Bucs, while 22 matches have been drawn.

Pirates are placed fourth on the Absa Premiership log with 33 points from 19 matches.

Gates open at 11:30 and kick-off is at 15h30.