The stage is set. FNB Stadium is ready to erupt. Two Soweto giants are going to war this Sunday — and the starting line-ups have just dropped!
Orlando Pirates – The Buccaneers’ Attacking Arsenal
Starting XI: Chaine – Sebelebele, Hotto, Seema, Sibisi – Mbatha, Makhaula, Mofokeng – Appollis, Moremi, Mbuthuma
Bench: Bulethelezi, Chabatsane, Ndaba, van Rooyen, Dansin, Nemtajela, Maswanganyi, de Jong, Makgopa
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is clearly in attack mode. With the explosive trio of Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, and new danger man Mbuthuma leading the line.
Orlando Pirates are built to hurt Chiefs on the break.
Relebohile Mofokeng in midfield adds creativity and legs, while the experienced Makhaula anchors the engine room.
The backline looks solid with Sibisi and Seema in the middle, and Hotto and Sebelebele on the sides expected to overlap and helo when in attack.
But the real story is the firepower up top — this is a team ready to entertain and score.
Fresh legs on the bench like Makgopa and Maswanganyi mean Ouaddou has plenty of ammunition to change the game late on.
Kaizer Chiefs – Amakhosi’s Bold and Balanced XI
Starting XI: Petersen – Cross, Monyane, McCarthy, Msimango – Mthethwa, Maboe, Ndlovu – Lilepo, Mmodi, Duba
Bench: Bvuma, Frosler, Miguel, Cele, Chislett, Shabalala, Da Silva, Vilakazi, Velebayi
Chiefs are coming in with a plan set on disrupting Pirates’ midfield fluidity.
Captain Brandon Petersen leads from the back, while the midfield trio of Maboe, Ndlovu and Mthethwa brings steel in midfield.
The attacking threat rests on the shoulders of Glody Lilepo, Pule Mmodi and Wandile Duba — three players who can produce magic on their day.
Amakhosi are mixing experience with hunger, and that bench (especially Frosler, Vilakazi & Shabalala) gives them serious rotation options.
This is not just a derby — it’s a tactical chess match wrapped in pure passion.
Will Orlando Pirates’ attacking stars shine again like they did in February?
Or will a steel-plated Chiefs produce the revenge they crave?