Yusuf Maart reveals ‘huge’ difference between Chiefs and Pirates
Having donned jerseys of both Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Yusuf Maart has revealed the ‘huge’ difference between his current club, Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates.
Yusuf Maart graduated from the Pirates youth structures during the 2016/17 DStv Premiership season.
However, he struggled to get minutes in his maiden season with the Buccaneers, making only two appearances in all competitions.
In 2018, he was sent out on loan to Cape Umoya United in the second tier, but his loan spell was fruitless as he only collected only four appearances.
He then turned his back on Pirates for good in 2020 after returning from loan. Thereafter, Maart spent some time in the ABC Motsepe League with Pele Pele where he caught the eyes of Sekhukhune United in the 2020/21 season.
In the same season, the Bafana Bafana international played a pivotal role in helping Sekhukhune gain promotion to the Premiership.
Maart made 29 appearances in all competitions for Sekhukhune in their maiden season in the Premiership, scoring three goals and contributing two assists.
After an impressive showing in Babina Noko colours, Maart earned himself a big move to Chiefs, where he’s become a regular in the middle of the park.
Maart says the only difference between the Soweto giants is the number of supporters. He believes his side always has a lion’s share of spectators when the two giants of SA football meet.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KAIZER CHIEFS AND ORLANDO PIRATES REVEALED
“I think there’s no huge difference, the difference is the supporters,” Maart told the media.
“As you know, Chiefs has a lot of supporters and Pirates used to have a lot also, but 90% of fans [in the derby] are Chiefs fans.
“So to win this derby and make it three in a row, I think that’s gonna be something great for the team.
“And it is a semi-final, so we need to focus on what we need to do and go according to the coach’s plan.
“Whatever the coach decides that we should do, we need to go out there to put in our efforts and hard work and go to the final,” he added.
Chiefs and Pirates will lock horns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 6 May. Kickoff off is at 3 pm.
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