Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has made clear their intentions for the forthcoming Soweto Derby.
Pirates will be the home team on Saturday (15:30) at FNB Stadium in a fixture that will come with the prime prize of three points through all else that accompanies their meetings with Kaizer Chiefs – which are always sold out.
READ: Bafana's AFCON group history...
Bucs are aware that to keep pace with Mamelodi Sundowns, they need to be collecting three points.
"Big match on Saturday and one cannot exaggerate or highlight it more that it is the biggest match on the calendar," says Ncikazi, who has a sense of familiarity with this fixture having been at Pirates since 2021.
"At Orlando Pirates, we have prepared well and want to perform and win as usual.
"These matches are not decided by history, but one can highlight that we have played 27 and the opponent have played 17.
"I hope that this doesn't become a factor in the result.
"Our science department has done a good job and hopefully we will get the result," says Ncikazi, adding that there is little difference between the two clubs despite Pirates being six points ahead with three games in hand.
"The margins between the two teams are very narrow.
"Defensively, we are almost similar.
"Chance creation, we are almost similar, but the only difference is on goals conceded because they have conceded more.
"Every other stat is equal, if I were to use stats.
"The margins between the two teams are not big except for the log position and the goals conceded.
"So, we will try and focus on what we think we are doing better than them, which is conceding less, but remember it is a derby and form and records don't work.
READ | Chiefs new signing confirmed!
"It is what happens on the day, and we will try to focus on our performance so that we can get a result.
"For us, it is to focus on ourselves and analyse what is in front of us, but on the day, players have to execute whatever is planned.
"The experience that we have gathered playing in Africa is enough experience for them not to be overshadowed by the moment," says Ncikazi.