Chiefs feeling the heat

While the two Soweto giants could pull away from the chasing pack at the top of the Absa Premiership log, Orlando Pirates will have to beat Wits tomorrow to keep log leaders Kaizer Chiefs within their sights.

In the eyes of both teams' fans, all matches before the December 8 Soweto derby are mere teasers to the main event - and the rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs has added spice to this weekend's fixtures.

Both sides have fired warning shots - Chiefs beat Swallows 3-2 on Tuesday and the Buccaneers responded with a 4-0 drubbing of Black Leopards the following day.

Pirates host Wits at Orlando stadium, having won four of their past five league matches, racking up 11 goals and conceding only two.

It is clear the defending champions will not relinquish their title without a fight.

Winger Sifiso Myeni, who will be playing against his former club, has been in superb form for the Pirates and has chipped in with assists when not scoring goals himself.

But it appears that whoever coach Roger de Sa throws onto the field has done the business.

Daine Klate and Collins Mbesuma have been on fire lately and even right back Happy Jele, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff, marked his return with a goal during the romp against Leopards.

Wits, on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form after they went through October unbeaten, only to crash to Platinum Stars 2-1 at the beginning of this month and were held to goalless draw by Ajax Cape Town in midweek.

But The Clever Boys hold a very respectable sixth position on the log, thanks largely to Calvin Kadi's five goals so far this season.

Chiefs will play an afternoon Premier League match for only the second time this season in the scorching Rustenburg heat - a challenge for coach Stuart Baxter and his team.

Amakhosi have not played a league clash in the afternoon since facing Free State Stars at the Charles Mopeli stadium on September 1 - where they laboured to a goalless draw. Their other 10 matches this season have all been evening games.

Despite his side's pride of place, Baxter is wary of taking on Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in the afternoon.

"It is going to be a real challenge because we play at a high tempo and haven't played a lot of games in the heat," said Baxter.

"There's a possibility we may change things slightly," he said. "A couple of players who have fresh legs might be given a run and we could change the tactics."

Baxter is not a fan of the rotation system as he has shown with his selection during Chiefs' 11-game unbeaten run.

However, with the heat and a Stars side that is fourth on the log, the coach believes he needs a solid plan.