adminAaron Dube in Johannesburg, South Africa
WARRIORS’ defensive midfielder Willard “Salt & Vinegar” Katsande is back in the fold and will marshal the Mighty Amakhosi’s midfield when they battle it out against Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg this afternoon.
The two teams are meeting in a Carling Black Label Cup match with participating players chosen by the fans.
Tickets for the much anticipated match are sold out and people are already talking about one of the biggest derbies in Africa.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfield maestro told Chronicle Sport: “This game is great to every player those selected must go out there in full force and give their supporters all. We understand that the stadium will be jam-packed.
“All the players are more than ready for the derby and these types of games build our confidence and give the coach a clue of where to rectify mistakes before the Absa Premiership games kick off in a week’s time.”
Katsande said playing their arch-rivals Pirates always keeps them motivated.
The Zimbabwean said even playing for 10 minutes at that level is always something to savour.
Warriors’ striker Kingstone Nkhatha will start the game alongside Katsande in the absence of crowd favourites Knowledge “Smiling Assassin” Musona who is in Germany and the injured Bernard Parker.
Another Zimbabwean marksman Matthew Rusike mighty be on the bench.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns have another difficult task ahead in their pre-season preparations when they battle it out in a Cape Town Soccer Challenge tournament this weekend.
The other three teams are Ajax Cape Town, Bidvest Wits and Moroka Swallows who were beaten 5-0 by Sundowns last Saturday.
Sundowns have been the busiest team of the four after they started their pre-season preparations with matches played behind closed doors against Castle Lager giants Highlanders FC, Caps United and Dynamos in Zimbabwe. They won all three games even though they were still fine tuning their fitness and tactics.
Sundowns’ communications co-ordinator Thulani Thuswa told Chronicle Sport on Thursday night: “We are looking forward to the Cape Town games. We played last weekend but its history for us and we will approach the games totally differently working on our past mistakes. We have capable players who will make us proud in the tournament.
“Playing in a different atmosphere and conditions which started in Zimbabwe, Gauteng and now in Cape Town will give us the right environment when we start the league and Caf Champions League. We want to defend the league and do well in the Champions league,” Thuswa said.
Veteran midfielder Esrom Nyandoro and skilful winger Kudakwashe Mahachi are the only Zimbabweans who are fit to play over the weekend.
Nyasha Mushekwi, Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat are all out injured while Method Mwanjali is still busy with his permanent residence papers.
Sundowns are under the tutelage of vastly experienced former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane and former Sheffield United winger Peter Ndlovu who manages the senior team.
Online Reporter