Former Orlando Pirates captain, Thabo Mngomeni, has bemoaned the impact of COVID-19 and how it will affect Saturday’s Soweto Derby.
Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in the first-leg of the MTN 8 semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first Official Derby that will be played without fans due to the current lockdown regulations brought about as a result of the pandemic.
Mngomeni, who featured in plenty of Soweto derbies himself, says that the lack of fans will have a negative impact on the match and the general pace of the game.
“Fans play an important role in the Soweto Derby. They are the most important part of the whole derby experience. I think not having fans will greatly affect the game this Saturday,” said Mngomeni.
When pressed for his match prediction, the Legend said: “It is my hope that Orlando Pirates can win this game. I know it is only a first leg of a Cup competition, but I am hoping the boys can win it.”
Kaizer Chiefs are the most successful team in the MTN8, having won the competition 15 times.
