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
14 minutes ago
- The South African
Latest:Saleng stays at Orlando Pirates or moving to Kaizer Chiefs?
Orlando Pirates have already made some big player decisions this close window, with Monnapule Saleng potentially next on the list. Saleng has been isolated from the Pirates first team for the whole of 2025, with rumours he'll join Kaizer Chiefs. He last played for Pirates in December 2024, in a CAF Champions League game against Al Ahly. Even in that game, Saleng's involvement from he start was a bit of a surprise, as he had been MIA for a while prior. It then quickly became apparent that there was something wrong between club and player. It was uncovered that Saleng was not happy with his contract situation at Pirates. The speedy winger then resurfaced with Bafana Bafana and was part of their first leg CHAN win over Egypt. He then made headlines for the wrong reasons, again, when he failed to join their camp ahead of the way leg. Even though he was pictured back at training with Pirates towards the end of the season, Saleng's still in limbo. Despite rumours that he has joined arch rivals Chiefs on a pre-contract, there's still no confirmation on that. And now according to Soccer-Laduma , there's still a glimmer of hope that he remains a Buccaneers instead! 'The club is busy with preparations for next season, and you can expect more players to be allowed to move on to make space for new signings. He (Saleng) is one of the players the club is currently busy with regarding his future. But from what I understand, there is a slight chance for him to stay – if the parties manage to sort out their differences. If not, then anything could happen. At the end of the day, he needs to get back on the field and play. The club loves the boy, and he loves the club – it's just that there were issues that needed to be sorted out, which affected his progress this season,' said the source. Pirates fans would you be happy with Saleng staying? Chiefs fans, are you still hopefully he joins? 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
Kaizer Chiefs eye Slovakian forward but fans not impressed
Kaizer Chiefs have set their sights on Slovakian attacker Robert Polievka, currently playing for MTK Budapest in Hungary, according to Sportswire . The club aims to strengthen its front line ahead of a crucial season, with continental football on the horizon. However, the pursuit won't come cheap. Polievka remains under contract with MTK Budapest until 2027, meaning Amakhosi will need to pay a transfer fee to secure his services. Despite being a forward, Polievka's goal return does little to inspire confidence. He has managed just four goals in 26 matches across all competitions, a tally far from what Chiefs supporters might expect from a potential frontline spearhead. Kaizer Chiefs find themselves in need of a proven centre-forward after parting ways with Ranga Chivaviro. The former Marumo Gallants striker looked promising early last season, netting two goals in his first three appearances. However, his game time dwindled as the season progressed, prompting the club to allow his contract to lapse at the end of June. Amakhosi will be desperate to avoid another disappointing league campaign. They finished ninth this past season, missing out on a top-eight finish for the second year running. The club's leading scorers, Wandile Duba and Glody Lilepo, only managed five goals each, with Lilepo joining midway through the season. There's renewed optimism at Naturena following their Nedbank Cup triumph, which ended a decade-long trophy drought. The victory also secured Chiefs a spot in next season's CAF Confederation Cup, heightening the urgency to reinforce the squad with quality signings. 'We're looking to better our attack and Polievka is one of the players we're monitoring closely for a while,' a source revealed. Should Kaizer Chiefs sign Robert Polievka? 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.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
REVEALED:Orlando Pirates' pre-season and Rulani Mokwena plan
Orlando Pirates will begin new era which will include a new coach for the first time in three years. Pirates had stability under former coach Jose Riveiro who has just left the club to join Al Ahly. During his tenure, Riveiro has helped Pirates win five trophies. Three MTN8 titles in a row as well as back to back Nedbank Cup titles. Furthermore, Beyond that, he led the Buccaneers into a second place in the Betway Premiership. Beyond local boarders, he ensured qualification for the side, into the group stages of the CAF Champions League. After doing so for the first time since 2018, they finished top of their group and unbeaten. Riveiro led Pirates to a semifinal finish in the CAF Champions League, with a Nedbank Cup final too. That has seen a vacancy open up at the Sea Robbers for the first time. A familiar name has since resurfaced in Rulani Mokwena. Having had a short stint with the Buccaneers before, he has expressed interest in a potential return. It was then reported earlier that Pirates were also looking at Mokwena as their next potential coach. Now according to Soccer-Laduma , The club are looking to appoint him before they head to Germany in early July. 'The team (Pirates) is expected to leave for pre-season in Germany during the first week of July. So they are planning to have the new coach by that time as part of their pre-season. Let's wait and see who it will be. Rulani Mokwena's name is up there on the list,' said the source to the same publication. Mokwena recently parted ways with Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca and is a free agent. Pirates fans, would you be happy to welcome him back? 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.
