Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Ace Khuse says 'Amakhosi' have put their loss to Manchester City behind them and are now focussing on Thursday's Soweto Derby against rivals Orlando Pirates. Chiefs go into this mouth watering Soweto Derby with a big disadvantage after having lost 1-0 to Man City in Durban on Tuesday night.

"We learnt a lot from playing City and will play a lot better against Pirates, despite our lack of preparation. The fact the team will arrive late in Port Elizabeth means we will not have a chance to do any training there.

"But that is not an excuse as every player will be pumped up to play and beat Pirates," said Khuse.

He added: "This is the big one as far as we are concerned. We saw the game against City as a learning curve, but the gloves come off against Pirates as there is no such thing as a friendly Soweto Derby."

Khuse said they had a plan to contain 'Bucs' talisman midfield playmaker Teko Modise, who is expected to make a return after missing the City showdown.

Modise and his three other Bafana Bafana teammates, striker Katlego Mashego, midfielder Benson Mhlongo and defender Innocent Mdledle, were given extra time to rest after helping Bafana finish four in last month's Confederations Cup.

Apart from Mhlongo who is on honeymoon, the other Bafana stars are back at training.

Said Khuse: "We expect Pirates to field their best side and that means Teko playing against us. But we are ready for him. We know he is a class player and we will have to contain him if he plays."

Khuse said his players got stage fright in the first half against City, but played better after half-time.

"The players were a bit scared at the start of the game, but we improved in the second half. We do, however, need to convert our scoring chances.

"The one thing we learnt was we need to support striker Kaizer (Motaung junior). He was isolated and did not get the service he needed."

Midfielder David Mathebula shone against City and will be the key to Chiefs in the engine room. But Khuse said his Bafana star left wing, Siphiwe Tshabalala, would not play as he is still being rested ahead of a PSL tough season.

"We decided we needed to bring back our national goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, as we needed his experience against City and Pirates, but Tshabalala needs a bit more time to rest after the Confederation Cup."

'Bucs' coach Ruud Krol, is playing his cards close to his chest and fielded a virtual reserve strength side against City in the first half.

But the players rose to the occasion and newcomers such as midfielders Andile Jali and Phenyo Mongala, who scored a sensational second half goal, are likely to get another chance to show Krol what they are capable of.

'Amakhosi's new coach, Vladimir Vermezovic, said he would change the side.

Vermezovic is in the same position Krol found himself in this time last year. The former Dutch skipper was thrown into the deep end against Manchester United in Durban on the Tuesday night and had to face Chiefs two days later in PE.

He lost both games, but this time Krol has the advantage as his side will be fresher and better prepared than leg weary Chiefs.

But Vermezovic was optimistic: "I will use a rotation policy this season. I have options and we are determined play in the final.

"To me this Challenge is an important part of our pre-season preparation and knew before the competition what we were up against and we are confident."