Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mkhonza believes victory for Amakhosi in the Telkom Knockout Soweto derby this weekend will erase all the memories of the past five years.
The Naturena-based team have not beaten their great rivals since 2014, a run spanning 12 matches.
It has left the Yellow and Black half of Soweto hurting, but defeating the Bucs in a match that will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday can make things right, according to Mkhonza.
After many years, Chiefs finally seem to be getting things right. They are the toast of South Africa at present after winning seven out of their last nine matches.
That has lifted Ernst Middendorp’s charges to the top of the Absa Premiership table. By contrast, the Bucs are eighth having won just three out of nine matches.
Chiefs will head into the game on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend and Mkhonza believes they can build on that.
Mkhonza is also impressed by the job that is currently being done by German tactician Middendorp.
The veteran coach has been under huge pressure at Amakhosi, especially after they missed out on a top-eight finish last season, kicked out by a lower division side, TS Galaxy, in the Nedbank Cup final. The ex-defender is excited by the work being done by Middendorp.
While Middendorp is enjoying the fruits of patience by Chiefs’ management, his opposite number Rhulani Mokwena is under huge pressure to deliver.
Dubbed as one of the best young coaches in South African football, he has so far failed to light up the Pirates candle.
They have failed to produce under his guidance, struggling in the league and also being dumped out in the CAF Champions League and MTN8. But Mkhonza says he should be given more time. – Report by Thahir Asmal
