Derby no time for cockiness

KAIZER Chiefs might have had a good run to sit on top of the Premier Soccer League‚ but they cannot afford even a hint of cockiness in tomorrow’s Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium‚ Amakhosi coach Steve Komphela says.

Pirates-Chiefs matches – with their scale‚ hype and the immensity of the occasion of one of Africa’s two biggest derbies – have a reputation for turning recent form on its head.

Chiefs come into Saturday’s big game having won four PSL games in a row (five league and one cup)‚ gaining in confidence with each victory following a stuttering start to the season.

“We appreciate the run. We are thankful [for] it – we’re getting results‚” Komphela said. “But don’t go there cocky – you’re going to get hurt.”

He said notching three more points to continue Amakhosi’s momentum was as important for his side as beating their Soweto rivals.

“We’re sitting on 13 points and we want to make it 16.

“The bigger the number‚ the more it gives you confidence – and we want to do exactly that‚” the Chiefs coach said.

The hype around tomorrow’s derby has been significantly reduced as it follows Mamelodi Sundowns’ Caf Champions League victory over Zamalek.

Often that hype is blamed for derbies in which both Chiefs and Pirates appear more intent on not losing than on trying to win.