Derby result will have no bearing on Premiership race — Zwane
Lots to play for, but too early to decide who will be title challengers Chiefs coach
Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane admits there’s a lot to play for when they take on neighbours Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership Soweto soccer derby on Saturday .
But he said the clash would not determine which side would be challengers for league honours as it was still too early in the campaign.
Amakhosi and Pirates will battle it out in front of 93,000 supporters at a sold-out FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday (3.30pm), where the Buccaneers will be the hosts.
Pirates head into the derby as hot favourites because of how they dismantled five-time league defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semifinals.
The Sea Robbers drubbed Masandawana 3-0, while Chiefs, who have been blowing hot and cold, were knocked out of the competition by AmaZulu FC based on the away goal rule.
Chiefs and Usuthu played to a goalless draw in the second leg after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
Zwane and his men will hope to put that disappointment behind them and try to win the derby.
Chiefs will go all out to win the match, but it doesn’t mean they will be out of the title race if they lose.
Amakhosi have played 12 matches in the Premiership and a lot can happen in the remaining 22 games.
“Yes, as much as we want to win, they also want to win, but I don’t think it’s going to be the decider [on which team are going to be serious challengers for the league],” Zwane said.
“There’s a lot at stake and we want to go out there and make sure we also give ourselves that confidence we need.”
Chiefs are fifth on the log table with 18 points, seven behind leaders Sundowns.
The derby will be Chiefs’ last game before a long break because of the Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
They will return to action on December 31 when they travel to Golden Arrows in Durban.
“We know we are going to have a recess because of the World Cup, so it will be very good for us to finish on a high note at the moment so we can start at the position where we can be able to compete,” Zwane said.
“It’s [a] big one and we all know that. There’s the bragging that you also want to protect. There’s also three points at stake.
“We really want to win this game for our families as well. I, for one, as a coach think it will be good for me to win my first derby. And the players who will be playing in a game of this magnitude for the first time.”
Yes, as much as we want to win, they also want to win, but I don’t think it’s going to be the decider [on which team are going to be serious challengers for the league
Pirates captain Maela says Spanish coach has instilled a culture of excellence at club
As they approach the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday‚ Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has told of the culture of excellence instilled by coach José Riveiro.
Maela said a new vibe had taken hold at the club since the Spanish coach arrived in June, reflected in Bucs’ marked improvement in results and general play, including their recent 3-0 thumping of Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Sea Robbers are in the MTN8 final against AmaZulu next weekend at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and are fourth on the DStv Premiership table, with 19 points from 12 matches.
“This is because of what the coach has created within the team — everyone knows their role and everyone knows what is expected from them‚” Maela said.
“Regardless of who is playing‚ you have been given the tools and the guidelines to go out there and perform; it has been working and so far so good.
“When you look at the squads of last season and this season‚ they [are] different and this is because this season was a fresh start with a new coach and new technical team.
“This season we have really been together‚ we have been united and we are very ambitious.
“It will be unfair of me to compare last season and this season because not everyone who was here last season is here this season‚ but this has been a fresh start and we are heading in the right direction.”
Maela said Riveiro had instilled in the players a mentality to fight for positions at training.
“It is about the next training session‚ the next match and we don’t want to think too far ahead.
“What we are trying to do is to create a habit of excellence every day. Ours is to be present at training and make sure you do your best.
“By doing that you are giving yourself a better chance of succeeding on match day.”
The players had put last weekend’s comprehensive victory over Sundowns in the MTN8 second leg behind them and were fully focused on Chiefs‚ knowing that a positive result could move them to second spot in the league.
“After the semifinal result against Sundowns we were happy‚ but the coach has taught us that if you win a game you don’t have to be high and when you don’t win you don’t have to be low.
“You must always try to keep a stable mind and be in a stable place. Qualifying for the final gives you a confidence boost‚ but we always come to the same place and we focus on what we have to do.”
Leading the team in front of a sold-out FNB Stadium will be a huge honour for Maela.
“It is an honour and privilege to captain Orlando Pirates. It is not only because of the Soweto Derby‚ but every time I step onto the field leading the team is something special.
“Especially to those who know where I come from with the club‚ so every game I get to lead the team is huge.
“I don’t think there has been that much change. The only difference is that now people pay too much attention to me because I am wearing the armband.
“Even before the captaincy‚ every time when I stepped onto the field I wanted to win‚ I wanted to help my teammates win the match.
“I have always had that personality of being outgoing in the field; when I step on the field I am one of the players who will take the initiative.”