The biggest surprise of all in Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp’s selection of his starting eleven for Saturday’s much-awaited clash with Orlando Pirates, is that there is no surprise at all.

As the Chiefs coach has for the first time in the 2006 – 2007 kept with the same starting line up in consecutive games, as he starts with the same team that easily disposed of Amazulu in midweek.

With captain Cyril Nzama still unavailable through injury, Fabian McCarthy retains the captains armband and coach Ernst Middendorp is confident that McCarthy will lead by example on Saturday afternoon.

“On Wednesday night Fabian might have been a bit cautious in his approach because he was sitting on two yellow cards, against Pirates he has assured me that he will not sit back and will play his normal game”.

Retaining his place in the team is diminutive midfielder Gerald Sibeko who was a revelation in midweek, as he sent in a number of dangerous crosses into the opposition penalty area in addition to having had to great opportunities at goal.

The Chiefs coach has also stuck to the same front pairing who did the damage against Amazulu in midweek, as Kaizer Motaung Junior and David Radebe both retain their places in the starting eleven after they both found the back of the net in mid week.

The Amakhosi also welcome back from injury striker Shaun Bartlett who picked up an ankle injury during Chiefs 3-1 win over Black Leopards in Thoyandou on the 25th November. Bartlett is back in contention after missing Chiefs game against Amazulu but will start Saturday’s game from the bench.

With the FNB Stadium packed to capacity, the stage has been set for the Final game between Chiefs and Pirates to be played at the Stadium for the foreseeable future as the stadium closes for renovations.

Chiefs will be aiming to finish off at the FNB Stadium with a victory over Pirates, just as they did when the teams met for the first time at the FNB Stadium in 1989, and thereby record their fifth straight victory in all competition over Pirates.

Starting Line Up’s:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 2. J. Tau, 6. F. McCarthy, 44. S. Mkhonza,

33. D. Mototo, 27. G. Sibeko, 8. T. Nengomasha, 13. D. Obua, 10. S. Nkosi,

7. K. Motaung Junior, 31. D. Radebe




Substitutes: 30. E. Baron, 22. R. Kilambe, 11. E. Ngobese, 21. P. Mayo,

20. L. Agyemang, 12. T. Mooki, 17. S. Bartlett

Coach: Ernst Middendorp

Orlando Pirates: 01. A. Phadi, 14. L. Lekgwathi, 17. L. Seema, 33. T. Chabalala, 19. I. Mdledle, 28. O. Okonkwo, 15. B. Vilakazi, 23. L. Mokoena, 11. J. Mahlangu, 08. E. Walaza, 25. F. Tefera




Substitutes: 30. S. Meyiwa, 04. E. Malinga, 12. S. Fredericks, 20. D. Makgale, 24. J. Makhanya, 18. P. Masehe, 16. M. Sibeko

Coach: Milutin Sredojevic

Officials:
Referee: Abdul Ebrahim


Assistant 1: Luyanda Somi


Assistant 2: Thulani Gumede


4th Official: Paulo Marques


Match Commissioner: Vincent Allie