Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Neil Tovey has explained why the Soweto Derby is a mental battle that can make or break a player, citing a Rothmans Cup semi-final as his favourite clash between the two South African giants.
The Phefeni Glamour Boys host the Buccaneers at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 28 February at 15:30 CAT.
Chiefs, placed in fourth position, will step onto the grass with Betway Premiership title ambitions against an Orlando Pirates side separated by goal difference from log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
A win for Chiefs would reduce the gap at the top from eight to five points, while Amakhosi also have a game in hand over both Pirates and Sundowns.
Speaking to FARPost ahead of the showdown, former Amakhosi skipper Tovey said players who are not mentally tuned in may face a game to forget.
Tovey explained that the derby has helped some players grow, while others have struggled with the intensity. He emphasised that the key is not to change your preparation or try to do something out of character, but to trust your usual routine and strengths.
NEIL TOVEY ON THE SOWETO DERBY: ‘IT IS A MENTAL MATCH’
“It’s going to be really testing. It is a game where you have to be mentally on top of your game,” Tovey told FARPost.
“Otherwise, you’re not going to last. It’s a mental thing. You have two clubs steeped in rich history and with by far the largest fan bases. So every pass, every move, every tackle, every header gets scrutinised. That’s how it is.”
Reflecting on whether the derby can make or break a career, Tovey admitted that the fixture has claimed victims in the past. “Yeah, it has broken players before,” he said. “On the other hand, some players have coped with it really well. If you have a great game in the derby, it gets you into the groove—especially if you were just trying to break into the team.”
“So it’s really a boost for you if you can handle the pressure. You don’t try to do anything different in your preparation. It is a different game, but you don’t suddenly try to do something different.
“It shouldn’t mean thinking differently. If you’re a very good player, you just continue to do what you’re good at. As a player, you prepare in the way you usually do. As for my favourite derby, every derby is special to me.
“If I can name one, I would say the Rothmans Cup. I think we played them in the semi-finals, and it was a big one. It was a special victory because the Rothmans Cup was one of the first million-rand competitions. That must be memorable,” Tovey concluded.
RELATED STORY: Pirates coach issues injury update ahead of Soweto Derby