Chiefs, Bucs In Preseason Showdown

[Folami David]

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will battle for preseason bragging rights when the two Soweto giants clash heads in the annual Carling Black Label Cup competition at FNB stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Chiefs will be eager to continue where they left off last season while the Buccaneers will be keen on showing their fans and the rest of South Africa that they will be a bigger threat in the upcoming campaign.
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The Glamour Boys coach Stuart Baxter expressed that the game is vital for his side's preparations for the upcoming season and added that whenever the two Soweto giants clash that it's a very important game.
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"I think whenever we play Pirates it's an important game, be it a friendly, cup or league game. It means a lot to everybody. In terms of the bigger picture, it's another game in our preparations for the season," said Baxter.
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"Last year we had a good game, it was a good performance and although we lost on penalties it didn't mean that much in the bigger perspective, we got off to a good start in the league. It was important for our preparation as this will also be."
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Baxter added that he agreed with what captain Itumeleng Khune said about not allowing Pirates to win the cup for a third successive time, especially considering the fact that it's against their fiercest rivals.
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"Itu said that we can't let them win this one because they keep it then, and that's it gone and that just adds to the flavour, we don't like losing. Last time was on penalties mbut it's still a defeat on paper, you don't want to lose especially to your rivals.
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"We will be doing everything to get a result within the format of the day which is great for the supporters, it's going to be an interesting one," concluded Baxter.
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Orlando Pirates coach Roger da Sa has admitted that it's been difficult considering that he had no say in the starting line-up for the weekend's upcoming game, but admitted that he felt that the fans have done a stellar job.
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"It has been a bit difficult having to wait for the team, but in all fairness the team selected is not far off the team we sometimes play and have played in the past so there are no real surprises, we are pretty happy with the players that have been selected," said da Sa.
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"I will still be coaching and assessing, assessing the players [on the day] and see if we can win the game and get a good performance out of everybody. I know it's a preseason game but nevertheless its Chiefs, Pirates and we want to win."
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The former Wits coach, like his counterpart added that the game will serve as a great practice match for the upcoming campaign, but that it's still one which they really want to win seeing that it's against their rivals.

[Shola Sholaz]

Some pre-season games are just always fun to watch because of PRIDE that is at stake. It's not about winning games in all the time though....