Kaizer Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala says it is important for Kaizer Chiefs to win Thursday night's Vodacom Challenge match against Orlando Pirates.

Tshabalala was one of the shining stars in Chiefs' 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Newlands Stadium on Saturday.

"This game against Orlando Pirates is very important for our preparations for the upcoming season. It is important that we do well," Tshabalala told the official Chiefs website.

He added: "Together with my teammates we are looking forward to the game. We watched the Pirates game last night and they are looking a much better side now.

"I am sure people will enjoy Thursday's derby. Pirates have a great team, but we also have a formidable team with young and fresh players."

Tshabalala has no doubt that Chiefs will match Pirates pound for pound on Thursday, adding: "We stand a very good chance to win if we continue doing what we did against Manchester United."

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana stars Moeneeb Josephs and Benson Mhlongo are expected to make their Soweto Derby debuts on Thursday.

"I have heard all about (past) the Soweto Derbies and I'm looking forward to playing in one for the first time," Josephs told SAPA.

Mhlongo said he was not fazed by the prospect of meeting Chiefs for the first time in a fixture as important as a Soweto Derby.

"I have played in a number of African Nations Cup tournaments and they are tough. So I am not scared of the derby. I am raring to go," concluded Mhlongo.

The winner of Thursday night's derby will play the English giants Manchester United in the Vodacom Challenge Final at Loftus, in Pretoria, on Saturday.

Tickets for the final have all been sold.