Soweto derby: Expect a passionate affair

Thokozani Zondo from Pirates and Jim Mofokeng from Kaizer Chiefs wear their regalia with pride prior to the Soweto Derby. Picture: Chris Collingridge

Thokozani Zondo from Pirates and Jim Mofokeng from Kaizer Chiefs wear their regalia with pride prior to the Soweto Derby. Picture: Chris Collingridge

Published Oct 28, 2016

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Johannesburg- The underlying theme during the Soweto derby press conference was the need to play attractive, winning football - fans can prepare for an entertainment extravaganza on Saturday.

One of world football's biggest derbies, Saturday's match at the FNB Stadium between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, will be broadcast across the globe.

Pirates captain Happy Jele seemed to sum it up: “The mood in the team is very good, everyone is well, there are no injuries. We are focused and are going to try do our job.

“There is always pressure playing for a big team. Each and every team that comes and plays against you, they want to beat you. I don't think the pressure on Saturday will be any higher for me - I've been playing under pressure all the time.”

Kaizer Chiefs skipper Itumeleng Khune had this to say: “Since our last game we have had a week to prepare for the big one. We're all excited and looking forward to the game on Saturday.

“There is no other motivation that any player can look to than playing in the derby. The derby is in the top five in the world and every player in the country wants to play in this game.Come Saturday we want to give our fans something to be happy about - go all out and get the three points.”

“Three points is important but we must also entertain. When they leave the stadium, people must have something to talk about.” “When the fixtures are released, people start talking about the derby date, and we as players, we always remind them we have other important games we need to win to be a respectful position so we can focus on the Pirates match.

“You'll see after we play on Saturday they'll be looking to the second leg, forgetting about the other games. That's the kind of pressure we must deal with - playing for this brand, we are expected to produce results in every match we play.”

Pirates head coach Muhsin Ertugral also put his finger on the emotions. “A game of this magnitude, you don't need to motivate any players. Coming from Turkey, we have one of the biggest derbies in the world, if not in the top three.

"And having been involved here for many years in South African football, I know what the magnitude is and what's expected of us. “

“Itu says Chiefs have been training very hard, but we've been training very smart. It's up to us to play the kind of football you guys want to see, to make it a spectacle, not only here in South Africa, but I hear that 61 countries [will be watching], so it's fantastic to be world-wide.”

“Football is like stock market these days. Every game players must perform. As coaches we are like a CEO, bringing all these marketable players to one team, that's the challenge we have.Pressure? Football is pressure. Pressure? Even if you coaching 3rd division you have pressure.”

“We want to play attacking and attractive football while maintaining our structures and playing patterns”.

His counterpart Kaizer Chiefs head coach Steve Komphela said: “We want people to enjoy the game. Preparations are going well. The Soweto Derby is pressure.In as much as the coach [Ertugral] says smart training versus hard training, sometimes hard work is talent, when talent fails to work.

Entertainment in football has to be combined with results. Skills on the ball must provide value.” Soccer is not only a game, it's a culture, it's a reflection on us as society. What kind of people are we? We are rhythmic, play music.

“When we walk [it's like we] are listening to music, when we play it's the same. So when they [a player] shows that skill, to me as a South African, I don't have a problem. Perspective is important.”

African News Agency

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