The fact that this is Roscoe Krieling's inaugural Soweto derby in the DStv Diski Challenge holds little significance for the Orlando Pirates mentor; his primary concentration is on meticulously preparing his players.
"We need to get the boys to understand that every week they've got to be mentally ready for a fight," Krieling said after beating Orbit College 2-0.
"When you are at the top, everyone wants your scalp… everyone wants to beat you. The boys need to understand that. They must not take it for granted that they are part of the big club. Because failure to do so we will get beaten, that is what happened in Polokwane."
Krieling and his team have made a strong start to the new season. After 10 matches, they currently sit at the top of the DStv Diski Challenge standings with 25 points.
They hold a five-point lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. This coming Sunday, they face a significant challenge against their Soweto rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium at 3 PM.
Amakhosi have struggled this season and are in sixth place with only 14 points.
However, Krieling who's on his first season with the Buccaneers after joining them from now-defunct SuperSport United is not reading too much into Chiefs' performance.
"Form does not go into derbies, they (Chiefs) will be up for it, these boys (Pirates) will be up for it as well. We want to maintain the lead and keep the gap as big as possible. And again, the boys need to play the game, not the occasion," stated the ambitious Krieling, who has made it no secret that winning the league is on their bucket list this season.
It is important to note that Pirates have not won a Diski Challenge match against Chiefs in the last two seasons. In the previous season, Chiefs managed to complete a double over the Pirates, defeating them 2-1 in the first round and 1-0 in Bloemfontein during their second meeting.
Given that Pirates have shown impressive form recently, winning four out of their last five DDC outings, this match promises to be an exciting encounter. A victory against Chiefs would certainly establish their authority this season, as they are considered strong favourites to win the 2024/25 campaign.
