Chiefs up against a hoodoo

No matter where Orlando Pirates coach Kosta Papic is when he watches Wednesday's crunch Premier Soccer League game between between SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Securicor Loftus (7.30pm), he will be rooting for Pitso Mosimane's United.

Mosimane's lads are on a high after mercilessly walloping Santos 5-0 in an Absa Cup semifinal at the weekend. United need only hold Amakhosi to a draw to virtually give Pirates the league title. A United win would be even better for Pirates. If Chiefs drop any points, a Pirates win against Bush Bucks on Sunday would give Pirates their second league championship in three seasons.

But if Chiefs manage to beat United, they will be even with Pirates on 59 points from 29 games with both sides needing to win their last game, after which goal difference will decide the winners. Chiefs have a superior goal difference of three with a game in hand. It's as tight as that.

Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru comes to the capital city with his defending champions knowing that they have failed to beat United in their past five league clashes.

Mosimane will rely on his explosive youth brigade of midfielders Daine Klate, Tony Tsabedze and Sibusiso Mahlangu, who were devastating against Santos at the weekend.

A lot will depend on the youngsters to start the moves for United so that they can provide the ammunition for twin strikers Manuel Bucuane and Lungisani Ndlela.

Another impressive part of United's game is their rock-solid defence.

With captain Ricardo Katza and Siboniso Gaxa at central defence and Phil Evans and Mandla Zwane on the wings, United have what it takes to handle the Amakhosi's dangermen Collins Mbesuma and David Radebe.

Mbesuma has scored 23 league goals so far this season and United will have to watch him in and around the box. To keep him quiet, Mosimane is likely to assign Gaxa to a man-marking role while Katza keeps an eye on Radebe.

United have reported defender Tsietsi Mahoa as the only doubtful starter. He has not recovered fully from a shin injury. Except for Cyril Nzama, who is out for the rest of the season, Chiefs are injury-free.