Sipho Mthembu

Sipho Mthembu

It's still over a week to go but the South African derby is already threatening to overshadow all Premier Soccer League activities between now and next Saturday.

This after "for sale" signs went up nationwide yesterday. The prized tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets.

It being the highest risk game in the local calendar, the hosting Buccaneers have emphasised that supporters carefully follow the colour codes to minimise any risk of trouble.

The home supporters will have three colours to choose from and they are purple (south stand), blue (west upper stand) and gold (west lower stand).

For Amakhosi supporters it will be green (east lower) and red (east upper). For neutrals, it is orange (north stand).

While Mamelodi Sundowns have virtually sealed the championship, there is still more than bragging rights at stake in this derby.

Both teams could still finish runners-up and Bucs will be looking for their first win over Amakhosi since the 2004/05 season.

If they finish second, Pirates will have another shot at the CAF Champions League. Sadly, Amakhosi remain banned by the Confederation of African Football until 2009.

There is also that steadily growing gap between the two. Since the PSL's inception, they have met 20 times in the league. Chiefs have won seven, Pirates five and the rest were drawn.

This will be the first derby at Ellis Park since April 11 2001 when 43 football supporters were killed in a stampede. The final commemoration of that disaster was held at Ellis Park last week.

Bucs spokesman Mickey Modisane assured: "We have grown wiser since that disaster. We have put in place systems to ensure that nothing with the slightest resemblance of 4/11 ever happens."

Before the derby, though, Pirates have a date with Ajax at Ellis Park on Saturday while Chiefs travel to Port Elizabeth for a date with Santos. Tickets for the Pirates-Ajax match are also available at Computicket.