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Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has selected one player he believes could be key to The Buccaneers' cause in tomorrow's Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.
Pirates and Chiefs clash in a high-stakes Betway Premiership encounter, with both sides looking to maintain pressure in the title race, which Mamelodi Sundowns currently lead on goal difference.
Jele, who is the all-time leading Derby appearance maker with 33 caps, believes Makhehlene Makhaula will be the most pivotal figure, should he get the nod to start.
"I think I'm impressed with all the players this season, so it's difficult for me to choose one but I think one key player will be more vital on the day. If Makhaula gets a chance to play, he will be vital because the game is going to be more in the middle of the park.
"The others always come to the party, just look at Mofokeng and the way he's been playing, Appollis always comes to the party, Tito has been improving this season because he didn't get much game time in the first round of the season but now he his raising his hand," said the former skipper.
Amakhosi are the 'home' side for this fixture, with the return leg set for 25 April, and 'Magents' believes pressure is on the fourth-placed side to keep up with the pace setters.
"I feel like it's going to be an exciting game. Both teams are in the top five and it shows that both of them must compete for the championship. If Kaizer Chiefs win, they will also enter the race with Pirates for the Betway Premiership title."
The 39-year-old also believes, with the title race depending on a winner, goals are a certainty at FNB Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Jele also ran the rule over The Buccaneers 2025/26 season under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou so far.
"For me, Pirates have done so much this season. In the previous six months they won two trophies which is great for the team. There is also excitement for the new players who have joined, and you can see that the new coach is trying by all means to motivate the players to perform on the day despite his rotations.
"All the players have raised their hands when given a chance, which is good because there are a lot of games to be played and he is trying to get everyone more minutes on the field."
