READ: KICK OFF Derby line-ups and predictions
Mkhalele – who scored 23 goals for Pirates in 138 appearances between 1993 and 1997 – tells snl24.com/kickoff that Chiefs will start off the match as favourites but was also quick to warn Stuart Baxter’s charges against underestimating their opponents.
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“I wish for Pirates to win for obvious reasons but it will not be easy. It will be a very tough match for them,” Mkhalele says.
Pirates lost 2–0 to Chiefs when the teams met on December 16 in their first League encounter and Mkhalele suggests that this defeat could linger in the minds of the Bucs players during Saturday’s match.
“What is likely to be at the back of the minds of the players is the fact that they lost to Chiefs the last time that the two teams met. However, this does not mean that they will lose to Chiefs again.
“This is a derby and they are always unpredictable. Pirates were held to a draw by Free State Stars but that is in the past. In the same way, Chiefs must forget about their victory over Ajax Cape Town.”
Mkhalele says Chiefs’ defence – which has conceded just 10 League goals this season – could prove very difficult to breach.
“The Pirates strikers must be at their very best because they will be up against a very solid defence on Saturday.
“To the spectators I think this will be a very interesting match. It looks like it will be a closely fought battle. Pirates must win this because they cannot lose two games in a row to Chiefs.”
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