Chiefs and Pirates legend Majoro on why youngsters are lighting up Soweto derby

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro believes the young players in the Amakhosi and Buccaneers teams are helping renew excitement among supporters. 

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Pirates have seen the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi come to the fore over the last couple of seasons. For Chiefs, Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala have been in good form at times this campaign. Mfundo Vilakazi, meanwhile, is clearly one to watch. 

Majoro – ‘Youngsters as leaders’

“Kids aged five to ten are coming to the stadiums. They see these youngsters as leaders in big teams like Chiefs and Pirates,” said Majoro this week. 

Duba is unfortunately suspended for Saturday’s Premiership game between Chiefs and Pirates at FNB Stadium. Vilakazi is with the Under-20 national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. 

But Nkota and Mofokeng will be two players Pirates fans will be hoping can get on the scoresheet against Chiefs. 

Majoro is one player who knows all about the feeling of scoring in the derby. 

“Strikers are always rated on the goals we score. It really means a lot to us,” he added. 

“Truth be told every player, every youngster that aspires to play for these clubs wants to be in games like the derby. 

“Having scored in the derby and played for both Chiefs and Pirates, sometimes I pat myself on the back and say I did myself proud.” 

Chiefs are currently ninth in the Premiership with Pirates in second. But form often also goes out the window in games like this. In the first round in February, it took a 96th minute penalty from Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi to separate the two teams. 

‘Greatest performance’

“Chiefs went into that game as underdogs. But they have proved over and over that when people expect them to lose they always come in with their greatest performance,” added Majoro.

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“Pirates did win. I don’t want to say controversially, but it was a photo finish. If there is a goal in the first 15 minutes (on Saturday) I think we are in for an entertaining second leg.”

As for Majoro’s prediction for Saturday’s game, as a former striker for both sides it is perhaps not surprising he picks a 2-2 draw.