Chiefs currently sit 10 points adrift of Absa Premiership frontrunners Bidvest Wits after 18 matches played, and head into this weekend’s mammoth fixture against arch rivals Orlando Pirates in desperate need of three points.
Pirates, meanwhile, will also be looking to gain ground on Wits, who face a tough test away to top flight returnees Highlands Park at the same time on Saturday afternoon (15h30).
Having featured in three Soweto derbies since his arrival at Amakhosi in January last year, Castro is fully aware of the magnitude of the fixture, which he insists he feels no anxiety over.
“The Soweto Derby is South Africa’s biggest game – no other game even comes close. I don’t feel any nerves,” said Castro on Chiefs’ website.
The Colombian has also yet to taste victory over The Buccaneers in their previous three meetings and reflected on the agony he’s had to endure thus far.
“I barely sleep after having lost a game. I keep thinking, ‘What should have been done differently?’ But you also need to move on, you can’t get stuck in a disappointing moment,” he added.
The 29-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns star has since stressed the need for victory in their upcoming tie if they are to continue their charge for the league title, with just 12 games left.
“It’s a must-win Derby, also because we want to get closer to the top of the log. We have improved a lot since [Middendorp] joined. We are training hard and are very motivated to do well [this weekend],” concluded Castro.