Soweto derby goal drought tackled
Many people have been wondering why the most popular derby in South Africa has been producing almost no goals lately.
These are the results of the most recent games between these two sides:
26 July 2014 Carling Black Label Cup Pirates 0-0 Chiefs (Pirates won 6-5) on penalties
15 March 2014 Absa Premiership Pirates 0-1 Chiefs
26 October 2013 Absa Premiership Pirates 1-1 Chiefs
24 August 2013 MTN 8 Semi-final 2nd leg Pirates 1-1 Chiefs
24 September 2013 MTN 8 Semi-final 1st leg Pirates 1-0 Chiefs
27 July 2013 Carling Black Label Cup Pirates 0-1 Chiefs
Why have they become low scoring games?
Ever since Stuart Baxter arrived at Kaizer Chiefs, he employs a tactical approach that doesn't require wing play from midfielders. His midfield normally comprises Reneilwe Letholonyane, Willard Katsande, George Lebese and Siphiwe Tshabalala. Tshabalala is a left-footed player who appears to operate on the right-wing, but he mostly drifts in-field to combine with Letsholonyane and strikers to crowd the opposition's final third, this also creates space for Siboniso Gaxa to overlap from the right-back position. Lebese and Tshepo Masilela also do the same thing on the left flank. Chiefs's strength is in out-numbering opponents in their own area and using full-backs as wingers. That has continued even with George Maluleka deputising for Tshabalala. Maluleka is also not a natural winger. They also have one striker (Bernard Parker or Mandla Masango) dropping deep to intensify the midfield combination.
Pirates have been able to counter that by playing two defensive midfielders against them over the past two seasons - the likes of Andile Jali, Lehlogonolo Masalesa, Thandani Ntshumayelo and Issa Sarr. Pirates's wingers (Daine Klate, Sifiso Myeni, Tlou Segolela, Khethokwakhe Masuku etc) are very dangerous and get Chiefs's full-backs attacking with caution. Chiefs have tall defenders who deal comfortably with crosses and long balls. Chiefs are also deadly at set-pieces which in my opinion is something the Pirates coach would know very well. Vladimir Vermezovic will most likely tell his players to avoid giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas. Most goals in recent derbies resulted from set play though, as it's very hard to score in open play.
In my opininion, the MTN 8 final needs game breakers, people who are not scared to take risks. Remember the days of Jabu Pule, Joseph Makhanya, Stanton Fredericks, Steve Lekoelea, Lebohang Mokoena etc. Dribbling wizards like Mpho Makola, Sifiso Myeni, George Lebese etc must rise to the occasion.
Orlando Pirates' hard-working midfielder, Thandani Ntshumayelo, is doubtful for the clash while their highly rated full-back, Thabo Matlaba, is back from suspension. Kaizer Chiefs are without their injured first-choice goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, but Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala are available for selection after recovering from injuries. Another tightly contested encounter is on the cards and the game is more likely to be decided by a penalty shootout.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
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