Posted in News, Team News on Nov 11, 2023.
Today is a very special day for Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Cavin Johnson as he sits on the bench for his first Soweto Derby between Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and also celebrates his 65th birthday.
What’s more special is that for the first time the match is attended by the SAFA President, Danny Jordaan, CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The big Soweto Derby is coach Johnson’s third match in charge since he took over the reigns in October.
Chiefs, who have been in fine recent Derby form, will be looking for their 6th win in a row against Pirates in the DStv Premiership when they taken on the Buccaneers this afternoon.
The teams will be boosted by their midweek victories when they take to the field this afternoon. Pirates beat Sekhukhune 1-0, while Chiefs won 3 -2 against Cape Town Spurs. Chiefs are 7th on the log after 11 matches with 14 points collected, and Pirates are in 10th place with 12 points after 9 games.
The Amakhosi coach has made only two changes to the team that did duty against Spurs on Wednesday. In defence, he has brought in Zitha Kwinika to replace Reeve Frosler and in midfield, Sibongiseni Mthethwa returns from suspension to replace Mduduzi Shabalala.
It will once again be a 4-3-3 for Amakhosi this afternoon.
Itumeleng Khune is the goalkeeper and plays his 28th Soweto Derby.
Edmilson Dove keeps his place at left-back. Thatayaone Ditlhokwe is at centre-back and will once again be apertnered by Given Msimango. Kwinika slots in at right-back.
Yusuf Maart will hold the midfield with Sibongiseni Mthethwa. They will have Wednesday’s goalscorer Edson Castillo in front of them.
On the wings, Chiefs will have Keagan Dolly on the left and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo will run on the right.
Ranga Chivaviro, who scored his first goal for Glamour Boys, leads the attack
Khune is the captain of the team.
The referee for this big match in South African calendar is Skhumbuso Gasa. His assistants are Kenny Mamegwa and Jantjie Dlamini. The match’s fourth official is Cedric Muvhali.
The sold-out DStv Premiership Soweto Derby match between Amakhosi and Sea Robbers will kick off at 15:30 at FNB Stadium in Nasrec. The match is live on SuperSport’s PSL Channel 202 on DStv, SABC 1 and SABC radio stations - with regular updates of the match on Twitter @KaizerChiefs.
Chiefs XI: Khune © (32), Dove (2), Kwinika (4), Ditlhokwe (24), Msimango (25), Castillo (17), Maart (8), Nk Ngcobo (12), Dolly (10), Chivaviro (7)
Subs: Petersen (44); Hlanti (23), Frosler (39), Nj Ngcobo (27), Zwane (37), Matlou (22), Mmodi (13), Saile Basomboli (21), Shabalala (42),
Coach: Cavin Johnson
Pirates XI: Buthelezi (35), Xoki (27), Ndah (49), Monyane (2), Monare (8), Timm (4), Hotto (7), Maswanganyi (28), Lorch (3), Erasmus (95), Makgopa (17)
Subs: Ofori (31), Mofokeng (38), Shandu (26), Kimvuidi (25), Sibisi (5), Saleng (14), Ndlondlo (15), Lepasa (9), Pule (45),
Coach: Jose Riveiro
