Mandla Ncikazi on Orlando Pirates' match against Kaizer Chiefs: This is a big game on the whole African continent and we hope to rise to the occasion

Mandla Ncikazi has also declared Orlando Pirates a fit and healthy team ahead of the Soweto derby this weekend.

The Orlando Pirates assistant coach disclosed his outfit only has standard injuries to Thapelo Xoki and Sihle Nduli who have long term injuries.

Like last week, as the prepared the AmaZulu clash, Pirates had no major injury concerns except for the two players.

They face fierce rivals in Kaizer Chiefs this weekend as they plan to tighten their grip on the Betway Premiership table which they are toe to toe on with Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Sea Robbers are on top with 58 points while Sundowns have two less than Pirates, who have played two games more.

“The standard injuries that we still have – Xoki is still doing rehab, Sihle Nduli is also doing his rehab,” he said during club’s media day.

“I haven’t seen anybody new also in the doctor’s bed. I think we will have a clean bill of health except for the two main injuries that are known.”

When the two teams met two months ago, it was one-side tie which was dominated by Pirates who have been on form for the large part of this season and won the game 3-0.

But this Sunday’s match sees a derby with both teams on form.

Chiefs are unbeaten in six outies while Pirates are doing their best to win the title from Mamelodi Sundowns.

This makes Ncikazi describe this as the biggest game on the continent.

“Preparations are going well, preparing for a very big match, the biggest in the continent,” he continued.

“The beauty of this match it’s going to be highly competitive, based on the fact that if you were to take a sample of the last seven matches, five wins for both teams, 29 goals (sic. 19) scored by our team, 12 by the opponents.

“They have conceded only three goals, we have conceded four. From that point it already indicates, how narrow the match will be – highly competitive match, we are preparing to win.

“Knowing who we are, knowing the magnitude of the game and knowing the importance of the points that we must get in the match.”