Innocent Maela shares his thoughts on the upcoming Soweto derby

31.10.26 09:30 South African Betway Premiership

Orlando Pirates

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Kaizer Chiefs

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Innocent Maela, the former Orlando Pirates skipper, reckons the Soweto Derby will serve as a revealing snapshot — one side firmly in the title race, the other still trying to find its rhythm in the Betway Premiership.

• read more: Orlando Pirates: Simphiwe Masilela could play in the Soweto derby

Pirates, the defending champions, are enjoying a strong spell and sit second in the standings, a mere point adrift of table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns, with a match in hand. Chiefs, by contrast, are faltering in fifth spot on 14 points. Neither side, it should be noted, has tasted defeat in the league this season.

This is what the former captain of Orlando Pirates said before the derby match

reported by soccer laduma, Innocent Maela knows the thrill of finding the back of the net in a Soweto Derby, and he reckons the current Premiership standings offer a telling preview of Saturday's showdown between the two rivals.

In a section he titled "The Log Does Not Lie," Maela shared his thoughts with Soccer Laduma: "This derby should be a fascinating one. Plenty of people insist that form means nothing in these matches, but when you consider this particular game, the two sides involved and the distance between them in the table, it becomes obvious that Orlando Pirates go in as favourites. I'm putting my money on them to win, and I'm also backing them to score more goals, given how dominant they've been and the style they play.

“The opening stages will be tough because of the sheer motivation and the hype surrounding it, but as the match goes on, habits and patterns will start to show. The log does not lie — we'll see exactly why one team is in the title race and the other is still trying to find its feet. Pirates will come out on top.”

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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Orlando Pirates

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South African Betway Premiership