Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana number one goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has looked ahead of the upcoming Betway Premiership Soweto Derby, saying it’s an important game for both sides.
The Soweto giants go into the clash at the back of defeats to Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United, respectively, in the league, while also desperate for points for different reasons.
Chiefs’ loss meant they dropped out of the top eight to ninth with 30 points in 25 matches, while Pirates’ defeat and results elsewhere meant they trail Mamelodi Sundowns by 12 points at the top of the log.
Khune told iDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago in edition 202 of the newspaper that it will boil down to how the sides prepare this week. He added that Amakhosi need to give their fans something and Pirates will want to give their outgoing coach Jose Riveiro a win in one of his last derbies.
“We all know it’s a special fixture in our PSL calendar,” Khune told iDiski Times.
“You know South Africa comes to a standstill whenever Chiefs and Pirates play each other, whether Chiefs is doing very bad, the same way things haven’t been going their way, the stadium will be painted gold and black. That’s what I respect about that institution.
“But what’s been happening, they haven’t been getting the results that the fans want, but at the end of the day, they bring entertainment to the crowd, and whenever those two teams meet, whether you come in as an underdog, things can turn around on the day.
“And it depends on how you’ve been preparing for that encounter during the week, how ready the players are to win the three points and to also have those bragging rights, because the season is about to go to an end. There’s a lot of surprises that we can see going forward.
“But it’s been an interesting season, and Pirates have been on the roll. They are doing well in the league. Obviously, they’ll come to this game fired up because they want to continue and do it for the coach. Since he’s leaving, he is going to want to leave with a victory in the derby.
“So there’s a lot that Pirates players are going to play for in honour of the coach in honour of their club. And at Kaizer Chiefs, we can say the opposite that they need to come into that game for their pride and win the match for their pride.”
You can read Khune’s full interview with Kganyago in edition 202 when you subscribe to IDiski Times Media WhatsApp number for FREE.
