In a blunt analysis of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, a former Bucs midfielder has defended Cavin Johnson, suggesting a different reason behind Amakhosi’s woes.
Both teams have struggled to win the DStv Premiership in recent years due to the relentless dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns, who recently clinched the league title for the seventh time in a row.
Sundowns’ supremacy has shifted the landscape for Pirates and Chiefs. The two Soweto giants now find themselves battling not just each other but also mid-table teams for the coveted CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup spots.
However, Pirates have kept their trophy cabinet stocked with recent wins in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8. In contrast, Chiefs face a dry spell as the club is approaching a decade with no silverware.
Ex-Pirates midfielder Thapelo Liau has identified one aspect that has made the Buccaneers better than their rivals Chiefs.
Liau has exonerated Amakhosi’s interim head coach, Johnson, for the club’s struggles, pointing the finger squarely at the Chiefs’ players themselves.
Johnson, under fire for Chiefs’ recent form, has overseen 19 games as interim coach. His record stands at six wins, five draws, and eight losses. In Liau’s view, the current Amakhosi squad lacks the quality the coach needs to compete.
WHAT ORLANDO PIRATES HAS DONE BETTER COMPARED TO RIVALS KAIZER CHIEFS
According to the 46-year-old who is involved in football development across the county, Pirates have signed better quality players than Chiefs in recent years.
“To be honest, pound to pound or player to player, Pirates have more quality,” Liau told FARPost.
“That’s the difference. Pirates sign more quality players than them. I have seen people [Chiefs fans] complain about the coach. But for me, I feel Chiefs need to have players who deserve to play.”
But also Pirates, the difference for them compared to last season is that this season they are scoring goals. Last season they were playing well but failing to score. But now everyone is scoring goals, and that has been good for them.
WHY THE SOWETO DERBY IS STILL THE BEST IN DOMESTIC FOOTBALL
Despite their lack of silverware, Liau has rubbished the notion that the rivalry between the two teams is fading.
“That will never change. Chiefs and Pirates rivals will be there forever. That’s why the derby is still the way it is. You will feel the derby from Monday. You will feel that it’s war and a serious war. So the derby will always be the derby,” he added.
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