Top teams go head-to-head at the Dstv Premiership
CHIEFS and Pirates may not be using swords but they’ll need their wits about them when they compete to ensure the ball is not fumbled and dropped.
DUELLING is banned, but Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will fight to the bitter end when they clash in a Dstv Premiership encounter at the FNB Stadium next Saturday.
Soccer writer Matshelane Mamabolo got two former players – Tlou Molekwane and Tlou Segolela to share their memories of this great clash and their views on what they foresee transpiring in the latest instalment.
TLOU MOLEKWANE (Kaizer Chiefs – 2009 to 2012)
MY FIRST DERBY
“It was a Vodacom Challenge match in Port Elizabeth (P.E.) and Pirates had a very strong team with the likes of (Thulasizwe) Mbuyane, Teko (Modise) and Katlego Mashego. I deputised for Jimmy Tau that day and I got to play the full 90 minutes in front of a capacity crowd. And we won in a shoot-out.”
MY LAST
“I think it was a cup game and I was brought on in the last few minutes of a match at Soccer City.”
MY MOST MEMORABLE
“It has to be that Vodacom Challenge match I spoke of earlier. I thought I did a good job of marking Teko (Modise) who was a big star then. I felt I showed the coach that I if Jimmy (Tau) -- who was the regular rightback – was not there, he did not have anything to worry about because I could do the job.”
ONE I’D RATHER FORGET
“We lost an MTN8 final match to Pirates. It was very painful,. Everyone knows that either club can lose any match but not the derby. We were taught from the development ranks that losing to Pirates is not an option. And to have them beat us to a trophy was unbearable.”
TOUGHEST OPPONENT
“Actually I would not say there was anyone like that. But I remember that Mark Mayambbela was full of tricks so I always needed to work harder against him. Teko was also tough. But I was hellbent on growing as a player and I always did my homework on everyone I faced.”
EASIEST OPPONENT
“There was no such (opponent) because everyone who played for Pirates was a quality player. Except for the other players I mentioned, they also had the likes of Khetho Masuku who was very skilful and hard to mark.”
BEST WIN OVER PIRATES
“That victory in the Vodacom Challenge was very special because it meant we got to play against Manchester City. And I got to play against Robinho (the tricky Brazilian) and I marked him well enough to ensure he did not do much (of anything) special. We beat them 1-0.”
BEST GOAL
“I never scored in the derby. I was always very cautious about venturing
forward. My defend.”
MY LAST
priority was always to
VIEWS ON SATURDAY’S MATCH
“I think the current Chiefs team has a lot of very good players and coach Arthur Zwane has got them playing good football even though the results have not been coming. After seeing them against Royal AM and Maritzburg United, I believe they will beat Pirates. Previously I’d felt they were not performing as a team but now they fight together, so much so that even the likes of (striker) Ashley du Preez helps fight for ball possession. If they can go with that kind of mentality and approach into the match, they will definitely win.”
TLOU SEGOLELA (Orlando Pirates – 2007 to 2015 ) MY FIRST DERBY
“It was the Telkom Charity played at Mmabatho Stadium in 2007. We lost that game and as a new player I was very nervous on that kind of stage. But I stepped on to the pitch and played my best and took the game just like any other.”
“It was that great game when Benni (Mccarthy) scored a brace and we beat them.”
MOST MEMORABLE
“Oh definitely that 2-2 draw in Durban played on the weekend of the 2010 World Cup preliminary draw. Do you remember it? That one when Mabhuti (Khenyeza) scored a very quick goal and Excellent Walaza scored a brace for us. There were a lot of youngsters in both teams and the match was just a great display of what South African football can be -- fast (and) entertaining with lots of skills on show.”
ONE I”D RATHER FORGET
“It was that time they beat us in a Telkom Knockout final. We had won the MTN8 and our goal was to win everything on offer that season and they spoilt it for us. It was a very demoralising defeat.”
TOUGHEST OPPONENT
“I can’t really say who was the toughest. I’ve always had great encounters with whoever I face. I remember my duels with Punch (Masenamela) who loved running up and down the flank. Also because I switched on the wings, I had battles with Jimmy Tau as well as Tsepo Masilela who stood in his position and only ever went up when it was needed.”
EASIEST OPPONENT
“I had nice battles with everyone who marked me and I respected them all. Sometimes, there were those that I always knew I would come up on top against, but I never thought of anyone as an easy opponent.”
BEST WIN OVER CHIEFS
“It definitely has to be that one where Benni was on fire. There were lots of goals in that match, there were three scored way before half-time and it was four in the first half.”
MOST PAINFUL DEFEAT
“The Telkom final was a very painful loss, especially because we had the lead. Had we won that coup we could have had the chance to create history of winning everything.”
BEST GOAL
“I scored one in a Vodacom Challenge and it turned out to be the only goal of the match.”
VIEWS ON SATURDAY’S MATCH
“I expect an entertaining match because Pirates have good players and Chiefs also have some youngsters who are eager to prove themselves. I expect Saleng and Ndlondlo to play a key role for Pirates. But I also have a feeling Kermit will want to prove he is still worthy of the black jersey. Both sides will want to show, even if Sundowns are already league champions, they are also good. Whoever wins will have confidence going into the next round.”