Kaizer Chiefs have received well wishes from an unlikely source as they look to extend their lead atop the ABSA Premiership table with victory in Saturday's Soweto Derby.
Judas Moseamedi, the Maritzburg United striker who has been Amakhosi's chief tormentor this season, is backing Ernst Middendorp's men to prevail over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium.
Incredibly, Moseamedi admitted to have been a member of The Ghost as a youngster.
"I grew up supporting Orlando Pirates but you know ispani, ispani (job is a job). When I'm on the field of play, I have to deliver for the club (Maritzburg) because they gave me an opportunity. They believed in me. But yes, I was a Pirates fan in my younger days."
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/KaizerChiefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KaizerChiefstormentor, Judas Moseamedi admits that he grew up supporting @orlandopirates but he is backing #Amakhosi for the upcoming #SowetoDerby. Video: @Minenhlecr7/ @IOLsport pic.twitter.com/0c2RQERLJW
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport)
This weekend, however, for the match that never sees anyone sitting on the fence, the man Chiefs has come to dread coming up against says his colours are gold and black.
"I'll be supporting Chiefs this weekend because they've really worked hard to be where they are (position one in the 16 team league). I believe they deserve to win the league and I really wish them all the best for the derby," Moseamedi said yesterday at his club's training session.
Strange that he should say Amakhosi deserve the league, Moseamedi having played a key role in stopping the Glamour Boys from running away with the title.
He scored the equalising goal that ensured Chiefs would not take home maximum points from their first round clash. When the two teams met again two weeks ago, Moseamedi might not have scored but his presence alone induced panic in the Chiefs defence and Maritzburg duly won that match to help open the championship race wide open.
In between those two matches, Moseamedi scored to help The Team of Choice beat Amakhosi in the Telkom Knockout semifinal.
And now he says he would love for Chiefs to not only beat a Pirates side he supported as a youngster but win the league too?
"It is not like I reserve my best for Chiefs. I play like I'm facing any other team. I just try to work as hard as I can to maybe score or create for my team. It just happens that when I play Chiefs, I become luckier. It's been good and encouraging to do well against Chiefs. It has elevated my status in the game. Now it feels good when people recognise me. I no longer have to introduce myself. That's why I have to even work more harder," he added.