Permall, who joined Swallows from the Mighty Amakhosi, is currently nursing a long-term knee injury and was sitting in the waiting room of the hospital before his operation when this interview was done on Wednesday afternoon.

"I was really looking forward to playing against Chiefs and hit hurts not be playing against them. It is always one of the biggest games of the season," Permall told official Swallows website.

"I am actually sitting here with my former team-mate Cyril Nzama (Chiefs and Bafana Bafana right-back) and we are both talking about how badly we wanted to play in the Soweto derby."

The 23-year-old, however, has all the faith in the Dube Birds to record a much-needed victory on Saturday. He cites the key to achieving this would be to contain the dangerous Collins Mbesuma.

'The team has been playing well of late. I have all the confidence that our defence will be able to deal with Mbesuma," he added.

A victory over the Phefeni Glamour Boys will go long way in pushing Swallows closer to the club's aim of finishing in third place, thereby qualifying for the African Confederations Cup of next season.

By Zaahier Adams