Derby is a six-pointer: Mabasa

Orlando Pirates striker, Tshegofatso Mabasa, has described Saturday’s Soweto Derby clash against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership as a six- pointer.

The Buccaneers have been very blunt on their ambitions to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns and win the league title this season.

Saturday’s game will be crucial if they are to launch a credible charge for the first ever Betway Premiership trophy and break Sundowns’ dominance.

Pirates currently sit in second place on the log standings on 27 points, six points behind the Brazilians.

Victory for Jose Riveiro’s charges will see them narrow that gap to just three points with Sundowns only playing Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon, before the Pirates travels to Pretoria next week Saturday to face them.

Mabasa is well aware of how vital all three points will be at the FNB Stadium.

“You can say it’s a six-pointer for us because there’s bragging rights at stake as well. There are things we want to achieve this season, going all the way to win the league and three points only gets us closer. That is exactly what we want to do so it’s a very big game for us,” he told journalists.

The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker is yet to score in the derby and admits that achieving the historic feat has also been on his mind.

“Not yet, hopefully Saturday will be my first goal in the derby, because I grew up supporting this club and I’ve said I want to leave my mark at this club (Pirates) and hopefully scoring in the derby is one of them.” Written by Ntsako Mkhari