Komphela: Soweto Derby will define PSL title-race

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Steve Komphela

Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela believes that the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates will be a defining moment in the Absa Premiership title race.

The Glamour Boys are set to go head-to-dead with Soweto rivals Pirates in what is expected to be an entertaining clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Komphela believes the clash of the titans fixture will be one of the deciding factors in the race for the PSL title this season.

‘This is one match I think in my opinion is going to be a defining one,’ Komphela told KickOff.com.

‘One, from a tactical point of view, the set-up from both teams, they are almost similar. They both play 3-4-3 and you can see how Orlando Pirates is coming.

‘If you go back and look at teams that are playing three defenders; you look at Maritzburg United, Pirates, Chiefs. When Roger de Sa played SuperSport United he played three at the back.

‘There is something to do with this three-man defence and Pirates are playing so well, we are playing it so well.’

The Amakhosi mentor went on to say that he expects both side’s to play a pressing and very offensive game.

‘I foresee sparks. One from an attacking point of view, very offensive both teams,’ he added.

‘The set-up in terms of pressing; it is going to be a pressing game. We might even move to a state where there is going to be a lot of pressing where whoever has the ball is pressed and as soon as they lose the ball they press.

‘It is phenomenon where maybe you will see in very few teams in Europe, where if you look at Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal where nobody gives space. The ball always rattles left and right. I hope Chiefs and Pirates can carry that and put it in the match.

‘After that, there should be a direction (of) where the game is going in South Africa which is a primary responsibility for Chiefs and Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – that’s where it will define our national team.’

The match at the FNB Stadium kicks off at 15:30.