Chiefs and Pirates youngsters are lighting up the derby
Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro believes the young players in the Amakhosi and Buccaneers teams are...
Lehlohonolo Majoro believes young fans are inspired to watch the derby by Chiefs and Pirates' young stars. Picture: Backpagepix
Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Lehlohonolo Majoro believes the young players in the Amakhosi and Buccaneers teams are helping renew excitement among supporters.
ALSO READ: Pirates' Maela refuses to throw in title race towel
Pirates have seen the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi come to the fore over the last couple of seasons. For Chiefs, Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala have been in good form at times this campaign. Mfundo Vilakazi, meanwhile, is clearly one to watch.
Majoro – 'Youngsters as leaders'
'Kids aged five to ten are coming to the stadiums. They see these youngsters as leaders in big teams like Chiefs and Pirates,' said Majoro this week.
Duba is unfortunately suspended for Saturday's Premiership game between Chiefs and Pirates at FNB Stadium. Vilakazi is with the Under-20 national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
But Nkota and Mofokeng will be two players Pirates fans will be hoping can get on the scoresheet against Chiefs.
Majoro is one player who knows all about the feeling of scoring in the derby.
'Strikers are always rated on the goals we score. It really means a lot to us,' he added.
'Truth be told every player, every youngster that aspires to play for these clubs wants to be in games like the derby.
'Having scored in the derby and played for both Chiefs and Pirates, sometimes I pat myself on the back and say I did myself proud.'
Chiefs are currently ninth in the Premiership with Pirates in second. But form often also goes out the window in games like this. In the first round in February, it took a 96th minute penalty from Pirates' Patrick Maswanganyi to separate the two teams.
'Greatest performance'
'Chiefs went into that game as underdogs. But they have proved over and over that when people expect them to lose they always come in with their greatest performance,' added Majoro.
ALSO READ: Chiefs' Nabi promises revved up Amakhosi
'Pirates did win. I don't want to say controversially, but it was a photo finish. If there is a goal in the first 15 minutes (on Saturday) I think we are in for an entertaining second leg.'
As for Majoro's prediction for Saturday's game, as a former striker for both sides it is perhaps not surprising he picks a 2-2 draw.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
16 minutes ago
- The South African
NEW: Orlando Pirates make approach for exciting SA U20 star!
Orlando Pirates look to be moving like a team possessed before the transfer window even opens ahead of next season. Pirates will see themselves begin a new era under a new coach and also seemingly a vastly changed squad. The club are rumoured to have already reached transfer agreements with at least six players in that regard. One of those players is thought to be Richards's Bay FC left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba. But having lost two experienced players in that position, they will need more than just one signing. Pirates will see both captain Innocent Maela and long-serving star Paseka Mako depart the club at the end of the June. Maela, who saw his game time reduce more and more over the last two seasons, has a big decision to make. After saying goodbye to the Pirates fans on the field, he has reportedly been offered a role off it. The 33-year-old has yet to confirm whether he will take up that opportunity and hang up his boots, or continue playing elsewhere. Mako on the other hand, leaves the cub as a free agent and is reportedly Kaizer Chiefs -bound. Now it has been reported by Karabo Phasha of SuperSport that Pirates have made an approach for Neo Rapoo. The young left-back plays for SuperSport United and also played every game for the SA U20 side that won the U20 Afcon in Egypt last month. '𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐨 Orlando Pirates have enquired about the availability of U20 & SuperSport United LB Neo Rapoo. Pirates have already called his agent a few weeks ago about the possibilities around him.' He posted on his official X account. Pirates fans, is Rapoo the right signing to replace Maela and Mako? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
REVEALED: Kaizer Chiefs' ‘secret meeting' for striker target!
Kaizer Chiefs have made it no secret that they're trying to sign a prolific striker ahead of next season. Chiefs' goal scoring woes have been well documented over the past three seasons and they hope to fix that. There have been quite a few attackers linked with Chiefs going into the next season. This as a sign of what they're trying to fix in the final third. Amakhosi have seen the likes of Fiston Mayele, Etiosa Ighodaro, Robert Polievka mentioned as strikers. In the wingers department Oswin Appollis, Elias Mokwana, Mihlali Mayambela and Keletso Makgalwa have been touted. It was rumoured, however, that coach Nasreddine Nabi had travelled to Egypt to try and convince Mayele to join. This after he had reportedly convinced Feisal Salum to sign for Chiefs ahead of the new season. During that trip to Tanzania the Tunisian-born mentor was seen attending game featuring Simba SC and Sinigida. Now according to Micky Jnr, following that game, he attended a secret meeting to sign a striker. That being Steven Dese Mukwala of Simba. '𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐃! When you saw Nabi at the KMC Complex, the player he was watching in Simba v Singida's game was Steven Dese Mukwala. Kaizer Chiefs' head of scouting and recruitment Thembela Maliwa and Nabi's assistant Cedric Kaze had a '𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠' with Steven Mukwala's agent when they were in Tanzania for a possible move. The meeting took place in a hotel in Dar es Salaam. Chiefs have strong interest in the Ugandan striker and ready to make an offer to sign him. However, Simba's President Mo Dewji has asked the club not to engage in any transfer negotiations for Mukwala until the end of the season in Tanzania. 12 goals. 3 assists. 1049 minutes played. Stats for Mukwala so far. One player to keep eyes on in the transfer market when the season ends in Tanzania.' Wrote the Micky Jnr Chiefs fans does the signing of Mukwala with those stats sound good to you? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs questioned for signing 31-year-old
A new left-back is expected to be announced by Kaizer Chiefs. It is none other than Paseka Mako of Orlando Pirates fame. The Buccaneers bid farewell to the 31-year-old Mako before news emerged that he is moments away from signing for Betway Premiership giants and bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs. Former Orlando Pirates full-back Innocent Makoya has thrown heavy questions towards Kaizer Chiefs for the decision. Teko sends honest transfer message to Orlando Pirates boss 'Looking at the contribution rate that Paseka has done in the past and the presence, looking at the direction Pirates is going, his contribution is very low,' Chikoya told KickOff. 'If your contribution is 50% low, age is not on your side, the chances of you being offloaded are high,' the former Buccaneer said. 'Jimmy Tau left Pirates for Kaizer Chiefs when he was at his best. Arthur Zwane did the same when he was at his best. Hence, they did well. But besides those two, who else left Pirates, especially with age not on their side and did well at Chiefs? 'If I sign a 31-year-old he should be a player that is getting game time as I'm looking for experience. If, at his age, Paseka has been consistently playing week in and week out, he could have been a great signing for Kaizer Chiefs. Former Orlando Pirates defender Paseka Mako at the DHL Stadium in a Betway Premiership match against Cape Town City FC. Image: Sowetan Kaizer Chiefs to sign and announce Polievka? 'But if you have not been playing and you go to a bigger team that is trying to overtake Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates…it's a tough one for Paseka. Remember, Chiefs and Pirates right now, all they want is to dethrone Sundowns. 'But you can't dethrone Sundowns if you are signing 31-year-olds while Sundowns are busy bringing in the likes of 24-year-old Jayden Adams. The players Sundowns are bringing in still have like seven years of professional football ahead of them. 'You look at Pirates, the players they are signing are players that are competing to be in the national team. 'I don't know if Paseka is a good signing for a club like Kaizer Chiefs; right now, Paseka should be going to a team that he will play for until he retires. If Pirates is releasing him, then how come he good for Chiefs? Right now, a lot is expected from Chiefs. They are under a lot of pressure to overtake Sundowns and Pirates,' Chikoya concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
