ORLANDO PIRATES and Kaizer Chiefs fans are eagerly awaiting the annual Carling Black Label Soweto Derby.
The two Soweto giants will clash at a match scheduled for FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Kick off is 3pm.
This will be an interesting clash considering the two giants have been active in the transfer market
as they beefed
up their squad ahead of the new season.
Chiefs coach, Steve Komphela, cleared out 20 players to pave the way for new recruits like Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Keagan Buchanan and Sibusiso Khumalo, hoping to end their draught, which saw them fail to win a trophy last season.
The outspoken mentor also bolstered his blunt attack with the signing of Zimbabwean pair of Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo, who are likely to make their debut at the sold-out match.
His counterpart, Muhsin Ertugral, also made massive shocking changes as he overhauled the side that
also failed to win some silverware under coach
Eric Tinkler in
the 2015/16 campaign.
The Turkish-born coach has continued with his philosophy of believing in youth, having brought in youngsters like Riyaad Norodien, Abbubaker Mobara from Ajax Cape Town, Ayanda Nkosi from Free State Stars and Thabiso Kutumela who was top goalscorer at Baroka FC.
Although Mobara, Kutumela, Gift Motupa and Tercious Malepe will miss the showdown due to Rio Olympic Games commitment with the Under-23 national team, Bucs fans will enjoy to see captain, Oupa Manyisa, who will play his first match after being sidelined by a long-term ankle injury.
Pirates have had an advantage over their rivals in the competition, having won their
last two showdowns on
penalties.
This is the only competition in Mzansi where the starting line-up is decided by fans who vote for their favourite player to be included the team.
The fans also enjoy the experience of coaching the two giants while they get to learn what it takes for Komphela and Ertugral to guide players.