Get ready for the 101^st instalment of league clashes between Kaizer Chiefs and their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, a rivalry which is now into its 51^st year and which will be the sides’ 51^st league meeting since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in the 1996-97 season.

When the teams meet on Saturday in the DStv Premiership at 15h30, the nation and the continent will be locked on a historical rivalry that has seen Chiefs dominate down the years.

Up until recently, Pirates had turned the corner on Amakhosi, but Chiefs have won four of their last three clashes against their historical foes.

Despite a loss to Stellenbosch in midweek Chiefs defender Daniel Cardoso is geared up for the test that Pirates will present. “I don’t think we had a bad game against Stellenbosch” was the defender’s curt assessment of Chiefs’ recent loss, adding  “Pirates is always a big one. This is the first derby of the campaign and we have to collect three points”.

For Cardoso, the history of the fixture is a huge factor, and he enjoys featuring in this game, “it’s unfortunate there are no fans in the stadium. It would be lovely to have a full stadium, but the hype building up to this game is still there, this is the biggest game in the league and we want bragging rights again.”

Cardoso has been pivotal in recent Chiefs’ successes over Pirates and has netted four goals in this fixture.

Another Chiefs player Njabulo Ngcobo could be making his derby debut. Growing up there was one derby game and a performance by a former Chiefs player that helped shape his footballing path.

“I learnt the importance of this game from the performance of former Chiefs striker Sthembiso Ngcobo. His performance in the 2010 Telkom Knockout Cup Final. He worked hard for the team and the Pirates defenders definitely felt him,” says Ngcobo.

Buoyed by the motivation of past glories against Pirates, Amakhosi will be looking to get back to winning ways after their midweek slip-up. Of their previous 100 league clashes against Pirates, they have won township bragging right on 41 occasions. Pirates have emerged victors in this fixture 23 times, while there have been 36 draws. Since 1996-97 the teams have clashed in 50 league games, with Chiefs holding a slight advantage with 14 wins to 12 with 24 draws.

Amakhosi will also look to continue their recent good run against Pirates, with just one loss in their last five games, with three wins in that time and a draw.

Chiefs are undefeated in their last five home league games against Pirates, having won on the last two occasions that they have hosted Pirates. A win will see Chiefs win three consecutive home league games against Pirates for the first time in the PSL era. Chiefs’ last won three home league games against Pirates was between 1983 and 1992 when they won ten successive home games in league clashes that they hosted Pirates.

The first match between the sides in the Rogue Soccer Challenge was back on the 24^th January 1970, which Pirates won 6-4 in a play-off for third place in a cup competition. Since then the Soweto derby has grown into one of the biggest games on the continent. Few playing in the first clash between the sides would have imagined that half a century later the game, which will be live on DStv Channel 202 with a one-hour build up from 14h30 will be televised live throughout Sub Saharan Africa.

With 21 cameras to capture the action with all the modern technology of a world-class production in addition to the on-field action, the game will light up living rooms and restaurants around the continent as Chiefs go in search of the points on offer against Pirates and look for their third league win in four games.