Riveiro, Nabi speaks highly of the fans ahead of the Soweto Derby

Share the Article:

Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro and his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Nasreddine Nabi have weighed in on the significant role played by fans as the two Soweto giants will lock horns this coming weekend.

Addressing members of the media at a press conference held on Thursday at the Soweto Theatre, Riveiro said the fans are the ones that make the occasion to be memorable and unique.

“It’s something which I didn’t experience before as either a coach and a football fan. The history of both clubs affords us the opportunity doesn’t matter whether we are playing a cup, league game or for a sandwich it’s going to be a special match and this time it’s not going to be different.

“The fact that the game was sold-out two weeks before the kick-off speaks loud about the importance of the match. It’s a special day for our supporters and for us which is to play for three points knowing that if we want to continue in that race with the top team right now, we cannot afford to lose so many points.

“We are playing home with fans expected to come in their numbers and the importance of maximum points is capital because we want to continue fighting for that space and we need to focus as much as we can,” remarked Riviero.

The Spaniard stated that the party will be around the stadium, in the stands as well and hopefully they can be part of that party at the end of the night.

He added; “I think Chiefs is playing really well this season and I don’t think that the log is a reflection of Chiefs performance so far in the league.

“They are creating a lot of chance in each and every game and are playing an attractive football, that is the same thing which we are trying to do a Pirates.

“If we are both loyal to the football that we have been playing in the previous games, I think it is going to be an interesting game for the fans.”

Bragging rights on Soweto Derby

Nabi who will be partaking in the biggest derby in Africa for the first time highlighted on the magnitude of the game and the importance of walking away with bragging rights.

“I’ve been following the previous derbies [from where I was] and I can tell you that feel, joy that is around [those derbies] is incomparable. I am very happy and excited to be part of this day.

“I have been part of many derbies around Africa but I consider this one to be the biggest. The real history of the derby in every art of the world has shown that there is no favorites, maybe on paper but when it comes to the field chances are even. We hope that it’s going to be a very good game of football,” he said.

ALSO READ | Percy Tau’s bright future with Al Ahly: A New Chapter

Nabi revealed that the mood in camp is positive without pressure considering the beauty of such games where there’s no need to motivate players, however, Wandile Duba will be sidelined for six weeks due to injury.

The Buccaneers are lying second on the Betway Premiership with 27 points from eleven matches while Amakhosi are occupying the fifth spot with 21 points having played 14 games.

The match will kick-off at 15:30 on Saturday at the FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg.