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Tendai Ndoro

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ORLANDO Pirates hitman Tendai Ndoro is bubbling with confidence ahead of one of the biggest fixtures on the African continent, the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow afternoon.

The former Chicken Inn striker, who is also a key member of the Warriors’ squad, told the South African media that it is matches like these which separate boys from men.

“These are the matches that separate boys from men and every player that plays for either team wants to do well.

“That is the dream game! The confidence is high after beating Golden Arrows 2-1. As for the Nedbank Cup match, it was a season decider for us because we wanted to go to the next round.

“I played a great match. My composure and finishing was good because I took both goals well. All I want now is for the team to win,” Ndoro told the Sowetan.

Ndoro’s brace condemned Chiefs to a 2-0 defeat in the Nedbank Cup back in March and will again be the target man for the Buccaneers tomorrow.

Chiefs boast of three Zimbabweans in their squad, hardman Willard Katsande and the former Chicken Inn duo of Edmore Chirambadare and Michelle Katsvairo, although Chirambadare has not enjoyed much game time.

According to the Sowetan, tomorrow’s derby will mark the 160th official clash between the two South African giants, with the Buccaneers unbeaten in their last five head-to-head clashes, but still trailing their archrivals in the overall stats.

Chiefs last beat Pirates in December 2014, and have gone on to lose and draw twice.

Tomorrow’s clash is the first since the two clubs were drawn together in the first round of the Nedbank Cup.

That match marked Soccer City taking over as the venue most used for the derby, with 61 matches between Chiefs and Pirates played there compared to 60 for Orlando Stadium‚ which is where the clubs first met almost five decades ago.

Over the last 10 head-to-head clashes‚ Chiefs have won three to two for Pirates.

But half of the recent meetings have ended in draws‚ reflecting how competitive the encounter has become.

Overall, Chiefs have won 67 of their past clashes compared to 38 for Pirates, with 49 draws and five abandoned.

Chiefs lead the goal count with 208 to 168‚ with Pule “Ace” Ntsoelengoe as their top scorer on 19 goals, while Jomo Sono’s nine is the record for Pirates.