Ernst and Rulani have different agendas
The loser of the Soweto Derby will be singed, or worse, scalded. This game has come at the right time when both need a big win – for different reasons.
For the home side, Chiefs in this instance, it is for validation. A win against their biggest rivals who have had the better of them from the past five years will be a stamp of approval for the work that Ernst Middendorp has been doing.
Beating Sundowns in two games in a row has seen Amakhosi fans warm to him.
Even those who are not too keen on him being in charge of their team are now saying ‘okay, let us see what you can do’.
There are coaches who never really did anything at any of the two teams but because they never lost the derby, they are remembered fondly by the fans. One such is Yves Kerjean who beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 in his first derby. Ask Pirates fans and they still remember him even though he was probably just a plumber from France.
So, for Ernst this game is do-ordie. It can make him popular and get rid of the Doubting Thomases or give them more ammunition to fuel their dislike of the man.
For Pirates this is the game that could change their course this season. The Buccaneers have been like a train failing to pull its coaches, huffing and puffing all season. What they need perhaps is a big win to get their confidence and belief back.
On paper, Pirates have a better squad than Chiefs but things have gone south for them, especially after Micho’s sudden and controversial
Sibongiseni Gumbi
departure. But as any player who has had the luck of playing in Africa’s biggest derby would tell you, it is the players and their attitude on the day that will decide it. If Pirates’ players decide to rise this afternoon, they can tip the scales and leave Naturena gloomy after a bright three months.
For Rulani Mokwena – who is in a similar situation to Middendorp – it is the same, but for a different reason.
Some Amakhosi fans – including a friend of mine, Doctor Ngcobo – are still hurt at the comments Mokwena made last season just before the derby when he said “there is no one in the Amakhosi dugout” (not in those words though) during Solinas’ time. Those words speared into the hearts of the Chiefs fans who wish Mokwena nothing but failure.
The Ghost are also divided. Some believe in Mokwena and think he should be supported until he gets the ship full steam ahead.
But there are those who still believe he had a hand in Micho’s sudden departure which threw the team into chaos.
He was seen as overpowering Micho and sometimes he did appear annoying as he would make hand gestures to Micho which suggested he should keep quiet. Now that the team, as the now famous teacher from Matatiele puts it in that annoying insurance advert on TV, ‘iphefumula ngenxeba, which means breathing through the wound’’ since he took over they are on his case, saying he is not yet ready for such a big task.
But trust me, if he manages to outwit Middendorp this afternoon, they will change their tune, even if it is for a little while.
Both gentlemen need a win in this game to validate themselves with the hard-to-please and perhaps spoiled fans of the two teams.
Inasmuch as I like to think I thrive under pressure, I wouldn’t wish to be in any of their seats. I am happy to be in the media centre tweeting, Facebooking or sharing on WhatsApp all the funny memes and trolling that will come through as the match is in progress. Good luck to them.