Coaches: We’re at war
SOWETO DERBY: THERE ARE LIKELY TO BE FIREWORKS IN NASREC SHOWDOWN
Sredojevic and Komphela are firm friends off the field.
If everything said ahead of the derby by Orlando Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic and his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Steve Komphela is anything to go by, anticipate fireworks when the two sides meet in a league clash at FNB Stadium today.
The Buccaneers coach revealed his long friendship with Chiefs coach Komphela which goes back to when he was the national team coach of Uganda but declared he would not recognise him on match day as their main objective is to ensure they walk away with the points.
“I have great respect for coach Komphela. I have known him for many years, we have been in touch throughout the years but come Saturday I will not know him,” said the Bucs coach.
“We are living our dream of bettering our points total from last year. This is my third derby. It is a different ball-game and Saturday is a public holiday for South African football.”
Amakhosi coach Komphela has played a big role in Bucs assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena’s career and regards him as an intelligent coach.
Komphela regards Mokwena as one of the brightest coaches in the country, but despite all of that, he has declared the fixture a war. “I wouldn’t even know my father come match day – it will be war. Obviously, it won’t be played in bad spirits, but in the spirit of representing your own people. It is going to be a difficult match,” said Komphela.
“There is nothing as important as colleagues respecting each other. We come a long way with Rhulani Mokwena. He has a good brain. He is sharp. I have never seen a brain like that and I hope the industry preserves him. He is very bright and he is one of those that if he dies, you take the head and keep the brain.”
While Chiefs will go into this game having played to a goalless draw with Bloemfontein Celtic last weekend, the Buccaneers will head into this tie following a massive 4-2 win over Chippa United.
The Bucs result has put Sredojevic’s charges in a good position to challenge for the league title.
Pirates are in second spot in the league with 36 points and before the weekend matches trailed leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by four points after 22 games, while Amakhosi occupied third place with 35 points following the same number of games.