Attitude trumps tactics in Soweto derby, reckons Khan

Cape Town - Former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Farouk Khan believes pure determination and a strong mentality will be what decides the outcome of the Soweto derby.

Old foes Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will once again lock horns in the Absa Premiership on Saturday at FNB Stadium, where the Buccaneers will have a chance to close the gap to Amakhosi.

Chiefs enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the standings, but Pirates can halve the deficit with a win over their arch-rivals.

Khan reckons the clash will be less about the tactics coaches Ernst Middendorp and Josef Zinnbauer employ, and more about the attitude of the players.

"They are both professional coaches, who've done well so far. Middendorp has ensured that Chiefs remained top of the table standings for the better part of the season. Zinnbauer, on the other hand, has helped the team to start winning again," Khan told IOL.

"Both coaches should ensure that the players are psychologically prepared because I don't think tactics are really important at this stage of the season, especially going into a match such as the derby.

"Players will have to rise to the occasion, and coaches have to get behind them - uplift their confidence so that they are able to deliver on the day." 

Kick-off is at 15:30.

- TEAMtalk media