25 July 2019, by: Grant de Smidt

BLACK LABEL CUP TACTICAL PREVIEW: ORLANDO PIRATES V KAIZER CHIEFS

Ahead of the eighth Carling Black Label Cup, we take a look at the key stats from the previous seven editions as well as looking at the awkward tactical battle that could unfold!

Will the lineups now decided for Saturday’s preseason clash, both coaches will have some tough tactical decisions to execute. Although the supporters vote for their sides in a flat 4-4-2 formation, neither side
is obliged to play that way on the day.

BET: BLACK LABEL CUP

With no left back selected by the fans and all three central defenders picked, coach Ernst Middendorp may go with a three-man defence, and use Rama Mphahlele and Joseph Malongoane as wingbacks. The latter excelled in that role – albeit on the right side – under Steve Komphela in 2017-18.

In attack, Khama Billiat could lead the line with Bernard Parker on the right, often dropping off to supplement the midfield with debutant Lazarous Kambole as a wide forward on the left.

Expect Middendorp to get a specialist left back onto the pitch at half-time. Also, midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase is thought to be out of favour under the German, so he could be taken off at the earliest opportunity.

Bucs’ supporters have voted just one central midfielder into the team in Ben Motshwari, so Milutin Sredojevic will need to find a way to protect the central area of the pitch. A 3-5-2 would give better cover in central defence, whilst allowing two players to support Motshwari. Having three central defenders could also be better suited to playing out from the back.

Expect Pirates to introduce another central midfielder as soon as possible, whilst Justice Chabalala did not play a single game last season and will surely be taken off at the interval or early into the second half.

Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 victory in the 2017 Carling Black Label Cup was their third victory in the competition after a 1-0 win in the 2013 edition and 2-0 in 2016.

Orlando Pirates have lifted the Carling Black Label Cup on four occasions but all of those have come on penalties, whilst Chiefs’ three victories have all come in 90 minutes.

The preseason showpiece has always been a very tight game, with only one of the seven editions seeing one of the sides score more than once – in Chiefs’ 2-0 win in 2016.

In the seven games played so far, Pirates had taken the lead just once, via Sifiso Myeni’s 20th-minute goal in 2015. Chiefs levelled in that match before Bucs took a 4-3 victory on penalties.

Itumeleng Khune has played in six Carling Black Label Cups without conceding a single goal in regulation time in 503 minutes on the pitch. His absence could be a key factor.

Chiefs are chasing a third straight win in this game, having beaten Pirates 2-0 in 2016 and 1-0 in 2017. Pirates lifted the cup in 2012 and 2015. No team has ever won three Carling Black Label Cups in a row.

BET: BLACK LABEL CUP

MORE SOCCER

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis