Mmabatho is expected to come to a standstill on Saturday as thousands of soccer supporters flock the town to watch Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates do battle at Mmabatho Stadium.

Billed the biggest derby in Africa, the Soweto derby has not lost its spark as it made headlines again in the week leading up to it, with the media arguing over whether it has lost its appeal or not.

But with both Chiefs and Pirates on the verge of finishing outside the top eight, Saturday?s encounter is guaranteed to produce fireworks.

Pirates have not done well in the last couple of games and Chiefs look to have found their winning form that has somehow eluded them this season.

But just like past derbies, the form book will be thrown out the window and it will come down to which team wants the bragging rights the most.

"Coming from a country where the derby matches are the most important thing in a season, it does not matter whether the teams are first or last when you play each other, everything else stops," Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral told the club's official website.

The Turkish born coach added: "South Africa should be happy to have a derby that ignites the passions like a Chiefs and Pirates game does. Having first been involved in this game in 1999, I always enjoy leading my team into this game and Saturday will be no different."

Orlando Pirates captain Lehloholono Seema said his team-mates are looking forward to playing the Soweto derby.

"Everyone is ready and eager to show what they can do. We ask our supporters to rally behind us and come out in large numbers.

"What will make this game more exciting is the fact that both teams lie outside the top eight and are competing for a place in the top eight," concluded Seema.