Kaizer Chiefs are hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership standings even further when they take on rivals Orlando Pirates. SoccerClub writer DYLAN APPOLIS picks five Amakhosi players who could fire them past Pirates.
Ernst Middendorp’s side will come into this encounter on a five-game winning run in the league, after their 2-0 victory over Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Glamour Boys current sit at the summit of the league standings with 25 points after 10 games played, with a seven-point lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
Take a look at five Amakhosi players who could prove vital to helping Amakhosi beat Pirates:
Daniel Akpeyi (Goalkeeper)
After struggling to find his feet at Chiefs, Daniel Akpeyi has been showered with praise by his coach Ernst Middendorp after putting in a few impressive performances in the last few months, in the absence of the injured Itumeleng Khune.
Akpeyi is expected to be the last line of defence again when they take on Pirates after keeping three clean sheets in his last three league games for Chiefs following his stellar performance during their penalty shootout with the Buccaneers in the Telkom Knockout Cup last weekend.
Yagan Sasman (Left-back)
The 23-year-old has been in fine form for Amakhosi recently and helped his side keep four clean sheets in his last four league games against AmaZulu, Baroka, Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Although Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya was named to start at left-back against Chippa, Middendorp will surely start the former Ajax Cape Town defender against Pirates, having already featured six times across all competitions.
Lebogang Manyama (Attacking Midfielder)
The 29-year-old has been one of Amakhosi’s standout performers this season, having already scored three goals and picked up two assists from 11 appearances in all competitions.
The former Cape Town City captain, who has been intramental for Chiefs, could prove to play a pivotal role in helping the Soweto giants claim their second win over Pirates in the space of a week.
Dumisani Zuma (Winger)
The 24-year-old was handed his first start of the season against Chippa and made good on his rare start after scoring a brace to help his side alway away with all three points away from home.
The winger has struggled to cement his place in the Amakhosi starting lineup but will add great value going forward against Pirates, having already scored twice and assisted a further one goal from 11 appearances across all competitions.
Samir Nurković (Striker)
The Serbian has slowly started to adapt to his new environment and began to hit top form after scoring a brace during Chiefs’ league encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium over the weekend.
Nurkovic proved to be the difference between the two sides and has been vital for Middendorp’s side after finding the back of the net on four occasions and assisted one goal from 10 matches played in all competitions.
