Form book is no guarantee to win derby
JOBURG – Pride is at stake for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, especially the Buccaneers when the two teams collide in the famous Soweto Derby.
Kaizer Chiefs’ strikers may have gained their form and put on their striking boots much faster than their counterparts at Orlando Pirates but that is no guarantee to win the derby.
The world over, derbies are never won on the form book as stakes are high for both teams, and even out-of-form teams tend to rise to the occasion. This could apply to the miserable Buccaneers tomorrow (4 March) afternoon when they take on their fellow Soweto giants, Chiefs in the world famous Soweto Derby.
The notion that the form book is no guarantee of winning derbies was further strengthened by Chiefs and Pirates coaches, Steve Komphela and his Bucs counterpart, newly appointed Swede, Kjell Jonevret. They were speaking at a joint press conference ahead of their clash at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, just outside the world famous township, Soweto. They were joined by Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa and Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune.
“It’s my baptism of fire on Saturday,” said the Swede, who will be in charge of his second match after his team drew 1–1 with Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium.
“I am ready for the famous derby. I have heard of it from home and I know what is at stake, which is not just the three points, but the bragging rights as well which tend to last up to another encounter.
“Yes, we’re not so good at the moment but I can assure you that form will count for nothing when we meet on Saturday, and I hope I emerge victorious.”
His Chiefs counterpart, Komphela was equally guarded and not wanting to sound too confident. “I am aware that derbies are not won on form but I would not be coaching Chiefs if I don’t desire them to come out tops on the day.”
Chiefs have the opportunity to dethrone SuperSport United from the summit of the Absa Premiership log if they can collect maximum points from this game, from a Pirates team languishing in a very unfamiliar position on the log.
The Buccaneers lie 10th on the log with 21 points from 18 games, 13 points behind 4th-placed Chiefs, but Bucs do have a game in hand.
In IsiXhosa, it is said amasi abekwelangeni and no one knows ukuthi iyozala nkomoni, which loosely translates to ‘its crunch time and no one can foretell the outcome’.
Read: Off-season Soweto derby sold out
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