‘Focus on game, not occasion’
MOKWENA: THREE POINTS THE GOAL
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Rhulani Mokwena says it is vital for Bucs’ players to understand the importance of their game with Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday – and not to be overawed by the occasion.
With the tickets for the muchanticipated Soweto Derby being sold out just over a week before the game, it signifies the importance of the clash between the giants of South African football with many seeing the fixture the biggest on the South African football calendar.
Mokwena, however, has warned his charges, saying they will need to understand that at the end of the day, it will be another match for three points.
“I think the players understand the importance of this match. They have to understand they need to focus on the match and the match being what happens over 90 minutes within the white lines and not necessarily focusing on the occasion, because once you focus on the occasion you play the event, which is the derby and forget that it is 11 players in black and white against 11 players in gold and black,” Mokwena continued.
“And then you start focusing on other things that do not relate in the outcome. What is important for us is not necessarily about the number of tickets sold or the capacity, it is critical for our players to play the match, not the occasion.”
This game is vital for the Buccaneers, especially for midfielder Ben Motshwari, who has been in good form for the club and will be featuring in the derby for the first time should he make the team this weekend.
“It is a very important game, I knew from an early age that whenever Pirates play Chiefs the country comes to a standstill. We are all raring to go and we want to make our supporters proud on the day,” said Motshwari.