Kaizer Chiefs "excited" for Soweto derby vs Orlando Pirates – Yusuf Maart

Photo Credit - Kaizer Chiefs Media.

Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has explained why a win against rivals Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership Soweto derby will go a long way to set the tone for the remaining matches of the season.

There are three matches remaining to conclude what has proved a challenging season for Chiefs. On Saturday, they will host Pirates at FNB Stadium, on the back of a three-game losing run against them. They will be looking to turn that around and record their 46th league victory over them.

Before losing their last three league derbies, Amakhosi had won five in succession, a record in the PSL era. The two teams meet again seven days later in the Nedbank Cup final, but all attention is focused on Saturday afternoon’s league encounter.

“We may not have been doing well in our last few games, but we know that momentum can shift, especially on Derby day,” said Maart, as quoted by SABC Sports. “The coach knows exactly how he wants us to play and how he wants his game plan to work.

"In football, everyone's energy and mindset must be on the same page. Everyone is excited for this weekend's match, as well as the Nedbank Cup final next week.”

He concluded: “I think there are plenty of challenges players go through, both on and off the football field. You don't know about the issues they're going through because many players don't open up. As for myself, you can judge me, but my positive mental approach will never change.”

This will be the 58th derby league meeting between the teams since 1996/97. In the clubs' previous 57 league clashes since the start of the PSL era, Chiefs have won 18, while Pirates have managed 15, and 24 have ended all square.