Kaizer Chiefs will be hoping to further stretch their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a win over Orlando Pirates. SoccerClub writer DYLAN APPOLIS picks five Amakhosi players who could fire them past the Buccaneers.

Ernst Middendorp’s charges will come into this encounter off the back of back-to-back defeats by Maritzburg United and Highlands Park in the Absa Premiership and Nedbank Cup, respectively.

The Glamour Boys currently sit at the top of the league standings with 45 points after 20 games, having won 14, drawn three and conceded three defeats in the league so far this season.

Take a look at five Chiefs players who could prove vital to helping Amakhosi claim bragging rights against Pirates:

Itumeleng Khune (goalkeeper)

The 32-year-old has been dropped as the club’s first-choice keeper since suffering numerous injuries, which has kept him sidelined for a lengthy period of time, but is slowly finding his way back into the starting XI following Daniel Akpeyi’s recent errors which cost them all three points against Maritzburg United.

Since returning to the field, Khune has featured four times for Amakhosi this campaign – two in the Nedbank Cup and two in the Absa Premiership – while keeping three clean sheets and conceding just one goal in the process.

Daniel Cardoso (defender)

The 31-year-old has been in fine form for Amakhosi this campaign and an integral part of a Chiefs defence that has only conceded 16 goals in 20 appearances.

Cardoso recently pledged his loyalty to the club after signing a contract extension at Amakhosi, despite being linked with a move to Major Soccer League outfit New York Redbulls during the January transfer window.

The Bafana Bafana defender has already played 25 games in all competitions for Chiefs, netting five goals and assisted one, with the bulk of his goals coming from the penalty spot.

Lebogang Manyama (attacking midfielder)

Manyama has been one of the club’s standout performers this season and played a key role in the midfield for Amakhosi during their 2-0 victory over Chippa United on 6 November 2019.

The former Cape Town City captain, missing only one game all season, has led the team to victory on a number of occasions, having made 24 appearances across all competitions while scoring six goals and assisting a further nine.

However, Manyama is currently saddled with three yellow cards and could sit out this clash, but Middendorp would want him in the side as they look to snatch all three points from the Buccaneers.

Khama Billiat (second striker)

The Zimbabwean was recently welcomed back by Chiefs after picking up a hamstring injury in January this year, which has sidelined him to miss five league games.

Billiat is undoubtedly one of the key figures for Amakhosi, but due to his numerous injuries this season he has found the net only once and assisted a further two goals from 14 appearances in all competitions.

However, Billiat will be relishing the chance to redeem himself against Pirates after missing his side’s last penalty kick which had Highlands Park advance to the next round of the Nedbank Cup.

Samir Nurkovic (striker)

The Serbian striker has played a big role in Amkahosi’s race for the league title this season and is currently the club’s top goal-scorer, having already netted 12 goals and assisted two from 22 appearances across all competitions.

Nurkovic has been instrumental in front of goal and is the first Amakhosi player to score at least 10 goals since Bernard Parker in 2014.

The lanky striker will be hoping to impose himself on Pirates and find the back of the net as he aims to reach the ’20-goal’ mark this season.