Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho says they are ready to fight for maximum points when they take on Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby on Saturday.

The Soweto giants are set to lock horns for the second time in seven days at the FNB Stadium in the Absa Premiership.

The last time the two sides met, Amakhosi claimed bragging rights after securing a 4-2 win on penalties in the Telkom Knockout Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last weekend.

Mathoho, who has made nine appearances in the Soweto derby, is relishing the chance to go head to head with the club’s fiercest rivals in the hope of claiming bragging rights and all three points.

‘It’s going to be tough and they definitely won’t go easy on us,’ Mathoho told his club’s official website.

‘The nature of the derby is such that even if a team is not doing well, when Chiefs play Pirates everyone lifts their game. But we are ready for any challenge especially this season. We must fight the full 90 minutes and we want to get the three points.

‘Personally, I don’t focus on the stats, I just want to go out there and do well. We might not have been doing well last season, but this season we are much improved, and I can’t wait for the game.

‘When I was young, I always watched Chiefs and Pirates play. I said to myself that one day I will play for Chiefs against Pirates. Now that I have played and hopefully will play in the derby this Saturday and many more in the future, I am happy to have realised a life-long dream.’

Kaizer Chiefs against Orlando Pirates kicks off at 3:30pm.