Derby time in Tura, Soweto!

The battle lines for bragging rights have been drawn for this weekend’s derby matches in Namibia and neighbouring South Africa. In Namibia, Katutura giants Black Africa and Orlando Pirates will fight it out for the three points and pride on Sunday in the Namibia Premier League. But before that, football enthusiasts will first witness the Kaizer Chiefs-Orlando Pirates match in the South African Premier Soccer League which is commonly referred to as the Soweto derby. Back home, both Black Africa and Pirates first need to negotiate their way past Mighty Gunners and Unam on Saturday. The hectic league schedule has been frowned upon by many, including the mentors of Black Africa and Pirates who criticised the gruelling schedule. Before meeting on Sunday, Black Africa first has to play against Mighty Gunners at the Mokati Stadium, while Orlando Pirates will host Unam at the Sam Nujoma Stadium. Black Africa coach Ronnie Kanalelo said it was important for his side to win this match to put pressure log leaders African Stars. The Lively Lions are ten points behind African Stars who have so far picked up 47 points from a total of 19 matches played. “We are well prepared for the match. We just need to collect three points in all our matches. If Stars drop points we can catch them,” said Kanalelo. Lucky Kakuva of Orlando Pirates is adamant his side will do well against their traditional rivals this Sunday. Pirates are in sixth place having picked up 32 points from their last 19 league matches. “We are capable of winning the derby because we are ready to face them. But we first have to play Unam on Saturday,” Kakuva remarked. “Last time we played with Stars we lost the match, but we had more chances which we missed.” Soweto derby Meanwhile, most of the attention will also focus at arguably South Africa’s biggest football teams in Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The two sides will meet in a crucial Soweto derby encounter tomorrow afternoon at the FNB Stadium. The Buccaneers stretched their unbeaten run to eight straight league matches with a 1-1 draw against Free State Stars in Phuthaditjhaba on Wednesday night, but the hosts brought an end to the visiting side’s four-game winning streak. While Pirates remained fourth in the standings, Chiefs regained their 10-point lead over Wits at the top of the log with a 1-0 win over Ajax Cape Town in a simultaneous fixture at FNB Stadium. “They (Stars) made it very difficult for us and worked their socks off, so it’s back to the drawing board,” Tinkler said. “We’ve got a big one coming up this weekend and at least we go into that game with a lot of confidence. “We’ve still got an unbeaten record, so that’s a good thing.” Kaizer Chiefs defender Tsepo Masilela expects another difficult Soweto Derby this weekend, and feels there is no favourite for the match. “Derbies are always difficult,” he said. “There is no favourite going into this game. Both teams have a chance – Pirates have been playing well this year, they are consistent, they have the momentum. It’s going to be a tough one.” -Additional reporting by SuperSport, kickoff.com NPL full fixtures Saturday Sam Nujoma Stadium 17:00 FNB Orlando Pirates v Unam FC Mokati Stadium 15:00 Mighty Gunners v Black Africa Oscar Norich Stadium 15:00 Benfica v Tigers Rundu Sport Field 13:30 United Stars v Civics 16:00 Julinho Sporting v Citizens Kuisebmond Stadium 13:30 LHU Blue Waters v African Stars 16:00 FNB Eleven Arrows v Tura Magic Otavi Stadium 15:00 Touch & Go v Rebels Sunday Mokati Stadium 14:00 Mighty Gunners v Unam FC Sam Nujoma Stadium 17:00 Orlando Pirates v Black Africa Oscar Norich Stadium 14:00 Benfica v Rebels Rundu Sport Stadium 12:30 Julinho Sporting v Civics 15:00 United Stars v Citizens Kuisebmond Stadium 12:30 Eleven Arrows v African Stars 15:00 Blue Waters v Tura Magic Otavi Stadium 14:00 Touch & Go v Tigers