Vlad V for victory

Recently appointed Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic went on a charm offensive yesterday ahead of his first Soweto derby against former employers Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City tomorrow.

He said he had returned to South Africa to enhance his CV. Vlad V's almost three-year tenure at Amakhosi resulted in two back-to-back Telkom Knockout trophies - before he was sacked with seven Premier League matches remaining.

"It's good to see old faces, but my aim is to win and make half of South Africa happy," he said.

"It's a nice past to have and I now get to say I coached two of the biggest clubs in South Africa. But I had unfinished business.

"I only managed two cups, but what I wanted was the [PSL] title and the [CAF] Champions League.

"We have talented players at Pirates who have just been struggling with their confidence and were tired," Vermezovic said.

The Serbian won his first match in charge on Wednesday night when the Buccaneers narrowly beat Moroka Swallows 1-0 in Dobsonville, Soweto.

The win revived the team's league title hopes after Chiefs lost 2-0 to Platinum Stars at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on the same night.

"We are very close to the title. They told me when I arrived that in 2005, Pirates were about 11 points clear in the race but they lost it in the end. Maybe history can repeat itself, you never know," said Vermezovic.

His counterpart, Stuart Baxter, tried his best to deflect attention from the Glamour Boys ahead of the 152nd derby.

Chiefs still lead the Premier League standings by six points with 10 matches left.

"Our schedule does not make us favourites," Baxter said.

"Other people will probably be licking their lips, I am sure, when we go to the Congo for our Champions League game and then come back to play in the Nedbank Cup. Then Sundowns after that.

"We've got to meet that challenge and if we can't, well, we probably don't deserve it."

Chiefs will restore striker and the league's top scorer Bernard Parker to the starting line-up after Baxter rested him against Stars.

Vermezovic said defender Rooi Mahamutsa, who is yet to feature for the Buccaneers this year after dislocating his elbow, is now "100% fit to play".

PSL Fixtures

Tonight

Harry Gwala: Maritzburg vs AmaZulu (8pm)

Tomorrow

Soccer City: Pirates vs Chiefs (3.30pm)

Kanyamazane: Aces vs Swallows (3.30pm)

Loftus: Sundowns vs Polokwane (8.15pm)

Milpark: Wits vs FS Stars (8.15pm)

Sunday

Athlone: Ajax vs AmaTuks (3.30pm)

Kaizer Sebothelo: Celtic vs SuperSport (3.30pm)