Kaizer Chiefs' poor run since the restart of the season was reflected in the stands at FNB Stadium in the Soweto Derby after they were dominated by Orlando Pirates, and coach Jose Riveiro opened up on a changed atmosphere of 'dominance'.
The Naturena-based side opened their season with three successive goalless draws, including being knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by second-tier side Milford FC on penalties in the first round.
Although they scraped a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows prior to the Soweto Derby, for the first time in a long time, the Glamour Boys were dominated by the Sea Robbers in the stands in a 3-2 defeat to their arch-rivals in their regular home venue.
Riveiro, speaking to journalists in a post-match conference, confirmed that they felt the dominance of Pirates fans in the stands and that gave his charges a big boost to come back twice and eventually win a five-goal thriller.
"You're totally right (about Pirates dominance in the stands), I think the atmosphere from the warm-up was something else, the energy in this stadium I can tell you that it's very special," Riveiro told reporters at FNB Stadium.
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"And they (Pirates fans) made it possible. I think the last derby was the opposite, there was a majority of Chiefs fans. Today, I think the Pirates fans dominated the stands as well and it's probably one of the reasons we performed the way we did.
"Because we didn't feel like, hmm, when things are not going the way you want. I think they were always supporting and cheering and not putting so much stress in the boys. They did a fantastic job to help us come back two times. It could be nice to have this atmosphere in each and every game," he added.
Only one point separated Chiefs and Pirates before the derby, but a section of Amakhosi fans threw missiles on the pitch after the derby defeat and former Chiefs head coach Molefi Ntseki says the pressure on the Naturena-based side, compared to the Buccaneers, is created by a long period of not winning silverware.
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"The difference between Chiefs and Pirates is that even when Pirates is not doing well in the league, but they were winning important matches, like winning the MTN8, winning the Nedbank Cup," Ntseki said on POWER Sport Extra.
"So, that brings a bit of joy to the supporters. So, if Chiefs is not winning any of these major cups, it puts a lot of pressure on Kaizer Chiefs because they have the history of always having the bragging thrights of the team that's always winning cups and doing well in the league," he reasoned.
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