Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould has urged Amakhosi to focus on the performance rather than the hype ahead of the Soweto derby.
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Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould has urged his former side to ignore the hype surrounding the Soweto derby and focus purely on the task at hand when they face Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm kick-off).
With both sides firmly in the league title conversation, this latest edition of the Soweto derby carries added significance beyond local bragging rights. Pirates currently hold an eight-point advantage over Amakhosi, although Chiefs have two games in hand — a factor that could yet prove decisive in the race for top honours.
The clash presents Chiefs with a valuable opportunity to reduce that gap and reassert themselves as genuine contenders. With a return fixture against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns still to come later in the campaign, Amakhosi know that victories in these high-profile encounters could keep their destiny closer to their full control.
However, they head into the derby on the back of a disappointing midweek defeat to Stellenbosch FC (2-1) — a result that halted their momentum at a crucial stage of the season. They will also be mindful of Pirates’ dominance in this fixture in recent years, with Chiefs’ last league victory over their rivals coming in February 2023.
Despite the magnitude of the occasion and the recent history between the two clubs, Gould believes Chiefs must approach the game with composure and clarity rather than emotion.
“We overhype the whole situation. You need to look at them as a normal team. Yes, the occasion is big, but they are just a normal team,” Gould said in an interview on Supersport.
“The occasion is big, but the game is the same. When you beat Pirates, you get three points, and the players should look at it that way.”
Having featured in several Soweto derbies during his playing career, Gould understands the intensity and expectation that accompany the fixture. Yet he insists that allowing the spectacle to overshadow the fundamentals of performance can be costly.
“There are a lot of historical moments around it, but if you play the game and not the occasion, you will be victorious. The players should fight their own battles. What lies in front of you is your biggest opponent, and they should run their own race and win their own race,” he added.
While Pirates have enjoyed greater consistency over the past few seasons, Gould believes this campaign has seen a more competitive edge between the traditional giants. He feels that both teams pushing near the summit of the table adds extra intrigue and significance to the contest.
“Both teams are doing well this season and chasing one another. It’s a great season when you have the two giants of South African football performing so well.”
* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch