Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye believes Orlando Pirates will beat Amakhosi in Saturday’s Soweto Derby.
The Buccaneers enter the game 16 points ahead of their bitter rivals, who have played four more games.
While Pirates need to get back to winning ways to keep their slim chances of winning the Betway Premiership alive, Chiefs are fighting for a top-eight finish but have not won any of their last six league outings.
The Sea Robbers also dominate the recent head-to-head record, having won four matches in a row, and Khanye believes they will add another derby win on Saturday.
“Pirates coming going to this game, I think they are bit nervous,” he told this publication.
“I know Pirates, they’re better than Chiefs in terms of talent, and they’ve got players such as Maswanganyi, a national team player, Mofokeng, a contender of Play of the Season. Nkota might win the Young Player of the Season as well. Thalente Mbatha is also better the Chiefs’ midfielders.
“Pirates are also on a better position on the log as well, but now they are a bit inconsistent. That’s my problem. And yes, they are still in the race to win the league, but it’s going to be difficult, since Sundowns are very strong side, they’re competing against a Sundowns that are very strong.
“Pirates are in the better position compared to Chiefs who are fighting for top eight. Every time Chiefs play this game they get motivated, but also the nervousness comes to them as well.
“Talent-wise we can’t compare Chiefs and Pirates players. Also the coach himself, my critic to him is that he had a whole pre-season with the players but he’s not improving the team, they are getting worse. There are also some players who don’t deserve to play there.
“So it’s gonna be difficult, a mountain to climb for Chiefs. Yes, in football anything is possible, we saw Chiefs beat Sundowns, but I believe it was a wake-call for Pirates to lose against Sekhukhune. They will still have this belief that they can win the league, though they have a mountain to climb.
“I don’t see Kaizer Chiefs beating Orlando Pirates, I need to be honest with you. I see another 1-0 like in the first leg.”