Chiefs have the edge over Bucs

Orlando Pirates must be having nightmares ahead of their Telkom Knockout cup final game against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Flashes of the 3 – 1 beating they received the last time these two giants played must still be playing with their heads.

The Bucs still need to figure out how to stop the “smiling assassin” who will be out to haunt their defence again. Lucky Lekgwathi and Co had no answers for the questions Musona was asking them last time around. So they will have to be sharper and smarter to stop him running rings around them on Saturday night in what is expected to be a classical battle between the biggest teams in SA.

Musona is not the only one that Pirates have to worry about, Chiefs are strong in attack and Pirates will have to improve defence.

Another thing that could prove to be Pirates’ downfall in the final might be the thoughts of revenge, and it is no secret that revenge is a very dangerous motive. It will put them under pressure. Rudi Krol will do well to warn his troops that this will be a totally new ball game and they need to focus on the final and forget about the heavy defeat they suffered in the league game. Their win against Maritzburg United last week must have boosted their morale going to the final, while Chiefs are still licking their wounds after their loss to Vasco da Gama. Having said that though, past performances don’t count for much when it comes to cup finals, especially between these two.

The FNB Stadium will be packed to capacity and the fans will be expecting some top-class attacking football, both Coaches believe in attack so an open game with a lot of goalmouth action must be expected. Both teams have enough motivation to win this game so there will be no excuses.

When all is said and done, Amakhosi have the edge over Pirates and they will go into this game full of confidence and self-belief. But then again, football games are quiet unpredictable.