Orlando Pirates’ latest signing, Makhehlene Makhaula, could play in arguably the biggest match in SA football, the Soweto derby, this weekend. That’s if the Pirates technical bench considers him for selection when rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Twenty days ago, Makhaula was playing for AmaZulu, and a Soweto derby was something that he could only dream of. The 33-year-old has already made two appearances for the Buccaneers since his January transfer window deadline day move.
He came on during the 2-1 win against Maritzburg United and the Nedbank Cup win against All Stars.
MAKHEHLENE MAKHAULA READY FOR THE SOWETO DERBY BIG STAGE
“Obviously, I’m a bit nervous. I have never played in front of 98 000 people,” he told the media during the official launch on Monday.
“But I am looking forward to it and working hard every day at training. So it will be up to the coach to select me because I have always raised my hand. Even if they give me five or 10 minutes, I always raise my hand.”
“Seeing the 98 000 fans will make me happy because I have never played with 98 000 fans cheering for you or with vuvuzelas, booing you and all those things. I am ready for the pressure because when you play for a big club like Orlando Pirates, there is always pressure, and we need to win all the games.
ORLANDO PIRATES NOT TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED
Despite their 3-2 loss to Golden Arrows on Sunday, Makhaula maintains Chiefs can not be undermined.
“Kaizer Chiefs is a big club, and we are also a big club. So I am not feeling threatened. We need to go there as a team and grind the results that will make us happy as a team.”
The former Usuthu skipper has joined on a one-and-a-half-year deal. He spent two and half seasons at the KwaZulu-Natal-based side.
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