Soweto Derby shines no more
Soweto Derby shines no more
Posted: 2010-02-22 10:43
They came, they saw and were disappointed. That sums up the Saturday’s Soweto Derby as it degenerated into another goalless draw at the Orlando Stadium.
The fans came in their numbers, dressed for the part, and created a carnival atmosphere. The weather was also perfect, but the football was lukewarm and in some parts even insipid.
To be fair to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, Saturday’s game, although ending in a goalless draw, was a whole lot better than the sleep-inducing football they served up in the much-hyped first leg, which was like watching paint dry.
This weekend’s clash had some sporadic moments that created a crazy, nervy and frantic affair. Itumeleng Khune’s double save from Lucas Thwala’s glancing headers and substitute Nkosinathi Nhleko’s rasping shot which ricocheted off the post and then Knowledge Musona’s shot that went agonizingly wide towards the end of the game had fans on the edge of their seats.
Andile Jali shining like a diamond in Pirates’ midfield, up-staging Reneilwe Letsholonyane, was exciting, but how Pirates failed to penetrate an Amakhosi defence led by the erratic Valery Nahayo clearly demonstrated Bucs’ lack of cutting edge up-front.
In the end, Chiefs almost stole the points at the death, only for Moeneeb Josephs to pull off a great save.
But, overall, the Soweto Derby has clearly lost its mojo, though Chiefs el supremo Kaizer Motaung would differ with this opinion.
The lack of goals in the Derby was a major let down, despite the fans coming in numbers and tickets being sold out three days before the game.
What is most poignant is the fact that the two Soweto giants’ statures are on a decline; so much that the game now is all about pride rather than honour.
As the Pretoria giants, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, race for the Absa Premiership crown, in Soweto, the country’s two most followed teams were playing for pride and, sadly, once again there were no goals to complement the unrivalled passion and support.
Why, one may ask?
Is there a lack of entertaining players?
Critics say the last players that created a vibe and brought the mojo that came to define the Derby were Pirates whizz-kid Steve ‘Chippa’ Lekoelea and Kaizer Chiefs problem child Jabu ‘Shuffle’ Pule. In the current crop, who can you pick as the players to set the scene alight? Sadly, no one.
Are the coaches too negative in their tactics?
The pressure that comes with coaching these two clubs often makes the coaches too cautious in their approach. They go to the matches not to lose, rather than to win. That’s why the games end in goalless draws because it is more about the coaches protecting their jobs because of the significance of the result. Players are restricted from being inventive and individual skill is not permitted, which is one of the reasons that recent foreign coaches are now being accused of having contributed to the Derby becoming a the dull affair.
Why are Pirates struggling?
A team with no out-and-out striker, a right-footed defender played as a left full-back (Lucky Lekgwathi), and management that buys players without coach’s involvement is bound to struggle. Pirates have more than eight midfielders, no proven striker and a coach who seems to have run out of ideas.
Why are Chiefs struggling?
Chiefs lack a playmaker in the calibre of Doctor Khumalo or Ace Khuse; someone who can link play and take responsibility. Letsholonyane has showed flashes of brilliance, but he drifts in and out of the game. And Tinashe Nengomasha is not the player he was a few years ago. Besides a porous-as-a- sieve defence where Valery Nahayo is an accident waiting to happen, Chiefs lack the quality players of years gone by.
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