Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has reacted to the wild excitement after Amakhosi were drawn against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi final, saying this cup match will see both sides put their best foot forward, unlike in the league match.
Chiefs players, management, technical staff and its fans cheered hugely after PSL media manager Fhatuwani Mpfuni pulled out Pirates as their next opposition for the third Soweto Derby meeting.
This after Chiefs beat Royal AM 2-1 after the extra-time at Chatsworth Stadium to reach the Nedbank Cup semi-final for the first time since 2019.
On that occasion, they went to the final, but they lost 1-0 to then Motsepe Foundation Championship side TS Galaxy.
On the other hand, Pirates, just like Chiefs, were pushed hard by Dondol Stars to reach the semi-final, eventually breaking down the amateur side in the penalty shootout.
But when Chiefs saw Pirates name pulled out, huge cheers were heard, an indication that Amakhosi are confident of beating Pirates yet again this season. Chiefs have defeated Pirates in both league matches this term.
“It’s not going to be easy as everyone thinks,” warned Zwane.
“Because cup games are totally different to league matches. But as I said, we will treat every game with respect and unfortunately this one is not like any other games – there is a lot at stake.
“If we want to beat Pirates, we are expected to be on top of them and make sure that we win the game.
“I think the excitement comes from knowing that we are playing Pirates and they are also doing well, that will be good for South African football as well, because we are also finding our way up.
“I think it is going to be one game that is very good to watch.”
Chiefs have in fact beaten Pirates in the last five league matches and Zwane was asked whether they have an advantage going to the game, however, he maintained that is not the case.
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“Not really,” he explained.
“As I said, league and cup games we plan differently. Cup games you are going to go flat out because you want to score goals as soon as possible, as early as possible in the game.
“With the league games, sometimes you play mind games, you play a little bit more conservative. You don’t want to throw in numbers, you always wait for the right moment.
“Unfortunately this one we have to be ready and take the game to them and make sure that they are the first one to make a mistake and capitalize on that.”
The last time these two sides met in the Ke Yona Cup was in the first round of the 2015/16 season, with Pirates winning 2-0 with two goals scored by Tendai Ndoro at FNB Stadium.
