By Frank KamuntuÂ
Kaiser Chiefs coach Rhulani Mokwena is under pressure to win the match against Orlando Pirates after losing the previous encounter against Amakhosi, according to a former PSL player
Former Uganda Cranes player David Obua has reflected on his experience of being involved in a Soweto Derby as South Africa gears up for the first league encounter of the season between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Saturday.Â
Obua, who played for Amakhosi in the mid-2000s, spoke fondly of the biggest football match on the South African calendar and how he gave his best whenever he played against the Sea Robbers.
“When I played for Chiefs, the [Soweto] Derby meant everything to me. I love the club, Kaizer Chiefs, and the way I was treated made me want to always do my best. I always gave everything I had for the team in every game. The Derby matches were overwhelmingly special, and we did our best to win those and bring joy to the fans as best as we could,” Obua told journalists.
According to Mokwena, Mlungisi needs to go back to the drawing board at Orlando Pirates.
Orlando Pirates fans keep their faith in Mokwena despite another failure to win
Orlando Pirate.
However, captain Jele is to miss the Soweto Derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
The left-footer scored both home and away against Pirates in the 2005/06 season as Chiefs completed a league double over their nemesis for the first time since 1992.Â
He said those are the memories one cannot erase and he’s happy he was part of that history with the Glamour Boys.
“What we achieved in 2005/06 I can’t really explain. Pirates were and still are our biggest rivals and those games against them were always special. It meant a lot to us as it was the first time that we had managed to have beaten them home and away in league games since 1992, ” Jele said.
He added that “To become part of the history of the Club was special. When you have the love for the Club, it’s always special and you can’t erase those memories.Â
When I played against Pirates, I had a mixture of emotions in the build-up to the games. When you have two of the biggest clubs in South Africa with those number of fans and supporters, you have to give your best to defeat your rivals.”
Obua is still following Amakhosi’s progress from Uganda, and he’s impressed with how Ernst Middendorp is trying hard to get the best out of his players.
“I have watched the games and I see coach Ernst Middendorp is managing to get the guys to play to their strengths. Players are working tirelessly and should continue working as a team; everyone is running for each other and when you do that as a group you get the results,” added Obua.
The 35-year-old admitted that the stakes are always high in any Soweto Derby, adding that coaches could lose their jobs.
But Obua advised Chiefs players to keep calm, focus on the job at hand and get a good result against Pirates. Â
“A lot is at stake and the result can cost coaches their jobs. A lot of people put in a lot of work in the build-up to the Derby. Focus on the job at hand and do your best. After you get the result you want, it is always a good feeling to go home and relax,” concluded Obua.
