Mark Fish weighs in on Soweto Derby

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Former Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish has weighed in on the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday 1 February.

MARK FISH WEIGHS IN ON SOWETO DERBY

South African former professional footballer Mark Fish is expecting a thrilling Soweto Derby as Orlando Pirates face off against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday 1 February.

Pirates have a chance to close the gap at the top of the table and put pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns, while Chiefs desperately need a win to stay in the title race. Chiefs have bolstered their squad with three new signings, hoping for a derby boost, but a confident Pirates side enters as favourites.

Fish, who previously played for Pirates said the Soweto derby would always remain the biggest fixture in South Africa’s football calendar.

“No matter how the teams are performing, the derby always remains a massive game. One team may be performing better than the other, or both teams may not be performing well, but the Derby is the Derby,” he said in an interview shared with The South African by Showmax Premier League.

“When Chiefs play Pirates and Pirates play Chiefs, the fans are going to brag to their friends and family the next day about who the winners of the derby were. The Derby was always massive and still is,” he continued.

MARK FISH: ‘PIRATES ARE IN FORM AND DOING WELL’

Fish went on to say that Orlando Pirates are in form and doing well in Africa while Kaizer Chiefs are “hobbling along.”

“There is one team that is performing better than the other team, we can all see that, regardless of which team you support. Yes, we know Pirates are in form and doing well in Africa, doing well in the league, and have gone through to the next round of the Nedbank Cup,” he said.

“So Pirates are doing everything that is expected of them. Chiefs, on the other hand, are hobbling along, getting results, not getting results, and their fans would like them to do a lot better. Pirates are the in-form team but we don’t want to give that tag to anyone,” he continued.

“When it’s the Derby, it’s the best team on the day that gets the result, gets the lucky break and wins the derby. Form doesn’t mean you will win the derby,” he added.

Fish went on to predict that Pirates will bag a 3-1 win against Chiefs.