Former Orlando Pirates captain Thabo Mngomeni says watching the Buccaneers lose to Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby hurt a lot, but adds that without fans it didn’t feel like a real derby.
The former Bafana Bafana star played for Pirates from 1998 to 2002, winning the league and super eight competition during his time there.
Mngomeni watched the 2-1 victory for Chiefs from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, and speaking to iDiski Times journalist Rob Delport, the 52-year-old says he was frustrated by the players’ decision-making.
“It hurts a lot,” Mngomeni said.
“And especially when you watch the game, Rob, and some of the decision-making of the players.
“The inconsistency of the players and really it’s like now we play like robots.”
But Mngomeni adds that playing without supporters changes the games’ dynamics.
“On another side I don’t think the derby is really a derby without fans at the stadium,” he continued.
“Sometimes we can kill the players, and say the players are doing this or doing that, but fans play a big part in the game.
“And we must understand, when we’re playing an actual derby with, when the coach speaks from the touch line, you don’t hear him. You understand?
“But now, every player hears every word that the coaches are saying. So that means I don’t think players they are really free or confident or, I don’t know how to put it, but it does work on the player’s performance.
“Normally we have to speak amongst ourselves and pass things on.”
Mngomeni explains that the passing on information between the players helps with the chemistry, and the nu supporters at the stadiums is a situation he’s glad he never had to play in.
“Mfowethu, I wouldn’t love to experience it, I wouldn’t love to be in that situation,” he concluded.
“I think it’s the worst situation, hey, uh-uh, I wouldn’t love to be in that situation.”
Pirates will look to bounce back on Wednesday when they face Marumo Gallants in the Nedbank Cup last sixteen.
Story by Rob Delport (@FMSouthAfrica) exclusively for iDiski Times.
