Last week’s Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates did more than entertain the thousands at FNB Stadium and the millions who watched on TV, it also brought a number of lessons for both clubs. Njabulo Ngidi looks at the five things that Pirates should stick to and the five things Chiefs should improve.
Orlando Pirates
Keeping wingers at bay
Chiefs’ biggest attacking threat, George Lebese, spent most of the 72 minutes he was on the field defending more than going forward because of Thabo Rakhale. The Pirates midfielder not only forced Lebese to track back a lot, but also ensured that Tsepo Masilela didn’t venture forward. Mpho Makola did the same with Siboniso Gaxa on the right flank. This nullified Chiefs’ biggest source of inspiration. Eric Mathoho’s goal, a powerful header from Siphiwe Tshabalala’s cross on the left flank, was a reminder of how dangerous Chiefs are in that aspect. Pirates did a good job in eliminating it from their arsenal.
Gabuza and Erasmus
Thamsanqa Gabuza and Kermit Erasmus have cultivated a great understanding that has proved lethal in front of goal. The pair, who share a room in their away trips, has scored five goals each in the CAF Confederation Cup while Gabuza has found the back of the net three times in the domestic league and Erasmus is on four goals. What has been key to their partnership is being able to complement each other, protecting each other’s weaknesses and capitalising on their strengths. Gabuza’s brute force opens up space for Erasmus to weave his magic. In return, Erasmus has used his quick feet to set up Gabuza.
B.M.T
If the Buccaneers were party planners they would throw two types of parties, the one so wild that you even forget your name and one so boring that your granny wants to slit her wrist to escape from it. There is no middle ground when it comes to the Bucs. Although that mentality has its flaws, how they manage to rise on big occasions is impressive. Their two best performances so far this year came in that fashion when they dismantled eight-time African champions Al-Ahly to reach the final of the Confederation Cup and the 3-1 win over Chiefs in the Soweto Derby.
Winning the derby
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to the realisation that one of the things that Pirates did right was to win the Derby. That result bought coach Eric Tinkler some reprieve after a section of the club’s fans chanted that he must be fired after the loss to Arrows. The win and the performance reminded the players what they are capable of, something they seem to have forgotten in their domestic campaign where they have struggled. The nature of the win is what should spur the outfit on in the second installment of the Soweto Derby tomorrow at FNB Stadium.
Erasmus the playmaker
The shortest man on the pitch played the biggest role in the Buccaneers’ grand rise in the Premiership. Erasmus was responsible for all three goals, bringing his assists tally to seven. Gabuza, with the second most number of assists, is on two, just to show how important Erasmus has been to the club in front of goal as the playmaker. Erasmus has taken over the baton from the injured captain Oupa Manyisa in making the team tick. He might not score as much as he should but the striker is an important asset going forward.
Kaizer Chiefs
Weak defence
Chiefs were always going to miss Tefu Mashamaite, a man who led the stingiest defence in the country in the club’s record-breaking Absa Premiership campaign where he played every minute of it. Mashamaite and Eric Mathoho formed an impregnable twin towers in front of the goalkeeper, with Morgan Gould playing the supporting actor role well. In Mashamaite’s absence, having moved to Europe, and Gould still nursing an injury, a heavy burden has been placed on Mathoho without a good partner. Siyanda Xulu and Ivan Bukenya have all been tried for the role but neither has done it with aplomb. The absence of a commanding presence to support Mathoho has been Chiefs’ biggest weakness at the back.
Not being able to grind it out
Steve Komphela promised to bring an enterprising brand of football to Amakhosi where they wouldn’t just win, but do so in style. But the thing is that’s not possible all the time. In some cases clubs have to grind out results in an ugly manner, just to keep the wins column growing. There is nothing wrong with striving to play beautiful football, in fact it should be praised, but there also needs to be a plan B when it doesn’t work out. Chiefs’ attack-minded play leaves them vulnerable at the back and it doesn’t help matters that they haven’t found a solid central defensive pairing.
Failing to rise on big occasions
Chiefs have lost their two biggest games so far under Steve Komphela. The first was the MTN8 final against Ajax Cape Town which would have seen the mentor win his first trophy in a coaching career that spans over a decade. The second defeat came in the
Derby last week. In both matches the score flattered Chiefs as their opponents were all over them. The outfit didn’t show up for either of the matches even though they went into them as favourites. It’s a psychological battle that Komphela needs to win if the club are to challenge for titles.
Inconsistent selection
The biggest criticism about Komphela so far is that he has struggled to handle big name players. It was one of his weaknesses in his tenure at Platinum Stars where he didn’t get along well with senior players to a point that the team was divided. He seems to be heading that way at Amakhosi, too. Itumeleng Khune for instance practically walked into the number one jersey despite Reyaad Pieterse looking solid in his absence. It must be said that Khune has been the club’s best player, but Komphela needs to set a tone where everyone is equal with fringe players being rewarded if they do well.
Being reactionary
There are a few matches where Chiefs have set the tone from the first minute but in most cases they have had to react when their opponents fire the first blow. They have put on some impressive displays reacting to what their opponents have done, from the entertaining 5-3 win over Maritzburg United to the 4-1 thumping of SuperSport United. They tried that against Pirates after a slow start, but the Buccaneers maintained their dominant display and kept Chiefs on the back foot for most of the match. This was a perfect example that reacting will not work all the time; the club needs to be able to set and maintain the early tone. - The Star