Chiefs v Pirates - first impressions
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates suffered contrasting fortunes over the past weekend.
I think Chiefs were excellent in retaining the Gauteng Cup, while the Buccaneers were less impressive in being held to a goalless draw in CAF Champions League group stage action.
Chiefs again looked solid under Stuart Baxter and also had more punch with Knowledge Musona back in the fold.
Musona scored the third goal as Amakhosi outgunned Bloemfontein Celtic 4-1 at Loftus on Sunday.
Pirates found the goal elusive in their stalemate with AC Leopards on Saturday.
Lennox Bacela had a decent header cleared off the line, while Oupa Manyisa wasted a chance he possibly would have buried at training.
However, I should perhaps note here that Chiefs were playing a friendly and Pirates a match in the elite African club competition.
The Buccaneers were also up against the reigning CAF Confederations Cup champions.
This makes it hard for me draw conclusions from my early viewing of the two Soweto giants.
What I will say is that Chiefs look more settled under Baxter than Pirates appear to be under Roger de Sa.
I also think that Chiefs will be a better attacking team with Musona at their disposal.
Pirates, meanwhile, will have little time to find their scoring boots.
They will meet Al-Ahly in another CAF Champions League group stage match on 4 August.
It is one of two trips Pirates will have to make to Egypt.
This because Zamalek are also in this group.
Al-Ahly and Zamalek are due to meet in Group A this Wednesday.
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
- Andre Bloem
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre