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Pirates looking to continue their dominance over rivals Chiefs in the 'Beer Cup'

Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho. Picture credits: Gallo Images
Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho. Picture credits: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates go into Saturday’s Carling Black Label Champion Cup against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium leading the head-to-head 4-2 in past competitions‚ but are yet to defeat their great Soweto rivals out-right.

All four of Pirates’ previous successes in the pre-season showpiece event have come via penalty shoot-outs‚ while somewhat remarkably they have only managed two goals in the six games.

Buccaneers fans are desperately in need of a lift after a disastrous 2016/17 Premier Soccer League season and are hoping for a good performance against their rivals which will give them hope ahead of the new campaign.

The once-off match‚ that sees the supporters of the two sides select the starting line-up via public voting‚ was first played in 2011 with the inaugural game ending in a 0-0 draw.

Keegan Ritchie and Itumeleng Khune missed in the shoot-out for Chiefs and Pirates won the day 4-3 on penalties.

Chiefs were seconds away from claiming their first trophy win in 2012 after Abia Nale had given them an early lead‚ but Benni McCarthy pounced in the sixth minute of injury-time to take the match to penalties once more.

Pirates triumphed again in the shoot-out 5-4‚ with five players missing on both sides‚ among them the unlucky Ritchie for the second year in a row‚ as well as McCarthy.

Chiefs did pick up their first victory in 2013 though as Lehlohonolo Majoro scored the only goal in a 1-0 win‚ but the sides were deadlocked again the following year at 0-0.

Again Pirates held their nerve in a marathon shoot-out that needed 18 penalties to separate the sides‚ before The Buccaneers finally triumphed 6-5.

Sifiso Myeni put Pirates ahead in the 2015 match-up‚ but they were pegged back by a Reneilwe Letsholonyane equaliser and to penalties the teams went once more.

By now the hoodoo was firmly entrenched with Chiefs and it was no surprise to anybody when Pirates won 4-3.   

Second half goals from Eric Mathoho and Lewis Macha gave Chiefs the trophy win last year though as they defeated Pirates 2-0‚ a bad start to what would be an awful campaign for The Buccaneers.

TimesLIVE

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