As the season reaches its final stretch, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are preparing for two high-stakes clashes within the same week.

With so much on the line, both teams are aiming to finish strong and assert their dominance in South African football.

Orlando Pirates Dominate Recent Encounters

In recent encounters, Orlando Pirates have had the upper hand, leaving Kaizer Chiefs struggling to secure a victory.

Over the past five matchups, Chiefs have lost four, including all four of their latest meetings with Pirates across all competitions.

Here’s how the matches have played out:

Pirates 1-0 Chiefs
Pirates 3-2 Chiefs
Chiefs 0-1 Pirates
Chiefs 1-2 Pirates
Chiefs 1-0 Pirates

This dismal record against their Soweto rivals has Chiefs fans wondering whether their team can finally turn the tide in upcoming fixtures.

Amakhosi’s Final Fixtures and Hopes for MTN8

Kaizer Chiefs still have a slim chance of qualifying for the MTN8 competition, depending on their league position.

In addition to the league battles, they also face Orlando Pirates in the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final.

Here are the key fixtures left for the Amakhosi this season:

Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Saturday, May 3rd, 15:00
Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Saturday, May 10th, 15:00
Sekhukhune vs Chiefs: Saturday, May 17th, 15:00
Chiefs vs Polokwane: Saturday, May 24th, 15:00

These upcoming matches could be crucial in determining Chiefs’ fate in both the league and the cup.

Injury and Transfer News for Amakhosi

As Chiefs prepare for these crucial fixtures, fans are eagerly awaiting updates on any injuries within the squad.

Additionally, rumors surrounding potential transfers are circulating, with the team looking to strengthen their lineup ahead of the new season.

Mdu Shabalala: From Pirates Fan to Chiefs Star

One of the standout players for Kaizer Chiefs this season is 21-year-old Mduduzi “Mdu” Shabalala.

Surprisingly, Shabalala grew up supporting Orlando Pirates, despite now becoming a key player for Chiefs in the 2024-2025 campaign.

Playing in the number 10 role, Shabalala has already contributed four goals and an assist in 25 league appearances.

Shabalala fondly recalls his childhood admiration for Pirates’ star Thembinkosi Lorch.

Growing up in a Pirates-supporting household, he often looked up to Lorch, but now with Lorch having moved to Sundowns, there’s an opportunity for a new star to shine in the Soweto Derby.

He also remembers attending his first Soweto Derby in 2019 or 2020, where Chiefs were leading 1-0 before Lorch equalized with a pass from Ben Motshwari.

It’s clear that Shabalala’s journey from Pirates fan to Chiefs player is a fascinating one, and it’ll be interesting to see how he performs in the high-pressure encounters ahead.

Will Chiefs Finally Overcome Pirates?

As the two teams face off again, the burning question remains: can Kaizer Chiefs break their poor record against Orlando Pirates and claim a much-needed victory?

Fans are eager to see if the Amakhosi can rise to the occasion and turn around their recent form.

Only time will tell whether the Glamour Boys can defeat their rivals and finish the season on a high.