Pule Backs Pirates, Nurkovic Supports Chiefs Ahead Of Derby
SuperSport United winger Vincent Pule has thrown his support behind his former club, Orlando Pirates, ahead of their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Conversely, former Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic believes Amakhosi’s recent defeats to Pirates will have little bearing on Saturday’s sold-out encounter at FNB Stadium (15:30).
“I just want to wish my boys good luck,” said Pule, who scored 23 goals in 143 appearances for Pirates before his departure at the end of last season. “They have been doing very well, and I wish them a win.”
Pule featured in several Soweto Derbies during his time at Pirates, scoring three goals in eight appearances, including a memorable free-kick from a tight angle in the 2019/20 season.
That particular match also saw a standout performance from Nurkovic, playing for Ernst Middendorp’s Chiefs side. The game is remembered for the second-fastest goal in the derby’s history, a comical own goal by Ntsikelelo Nyauza after a miscommunication with Wayne Sandilands, giving Chiefs a shock lead in the first minute.
While Chiefs were a force to be reckoned with under Middendorp’s “helicopter football” approach, which proved effective on that occasion, this time around, Pirates appear to be the favorites. Despite this, Nurkovic is backing Chiefs to emerge victorious.
“I’m going for Chiefs,” Nurkovic stated, having scored in this historic fixture himself during the 2020/21 season under current SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt.
When questioned about his confidence in Chiefs, given their three consecutive losses to Pirates, Nurkovic simply replied, with a straight face, “That is the past.”
These two South African football giants will be meeting for the 181st time, with Chiefs holding the edge with 74 wins to Pirates’ 47. There have been 54 draws and five abandoned matches.
Chiefs have scored 230 Soweto derby goals, while Pirates have netted 196.
This will be the 77th derby match played at FNB Stadium, making it the most-used venue for this fixture, followed by Orlando Stadium with 63 matches. Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted four derbies (three TKO Cup matches and the 2014 MTN8 final).
