Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Pollen Ndlanya says the magnitude of the Soweto Derby is so big it has potential to make or break careers.
Ndlanya’s former sides meet in the first derby of the season in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday coming from losses in their last matches in the league and the Nedbank Cup respectively.
The hosts Amakhosi currently lie in fourth place on the table with 30 points while the Sea Robbers are looking to go back to the top of the log as they are currently tied on 38 points with Mamelodi Sundowns at the summit both from 17 matches.
Speaking to iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago, ‘Trompies’ said the derby is always special despite anyone’s form and that a lot rests on it like opportunities to be part of the national team and to be scouted by international clubs.
“Soweto derby will always be on top,” Ndlanya told iDiski Times.
“It’s like Spanish El Classico. Even if one of the teams is not playing well, when it is Soweto derby, everything stands still. They always want to prove a point. You know, there’s a lot of things that happen in a Soweto derby.
“The sponsors would love for the team to win, and also the supporters. You know, the management, they’ll promise you so much.
“So, all the players that will be playing in the Soweto derby want to prove a point, and they want to play well for themselves. Remember, when you play well in a derby, you stand a chance of being selected in the national team, and maybe the scouts coming from overseas, they’ll be watching too, and maybe you’ll be lucky and have a chance of playing overseas.
“But at the same time, if you don’t play well in a Soweto derby, that thing can kill your career. That’s how important the derby is.”
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