By Zola Doda
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, has declared this weekend’s Soweto Derby match against Orlando Pirates as a ‘must-win’.
Amakhosi will host this weekend’s encounter on at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 25 February.
The two sides have played against each other 176 times since 1970 with Amakhosi getting 73 wins compared to 44 wins by the Buccaneers. Five matches were abandoned and 54 ended in draws.
“The Derby is never easy, as you know. It’s a must win for both teams,” said Khune during the lead up to the match.
“Any player that walks on the park has friends outside of Kaizer Chiefs and before the Derby they will talk.
If I can take you back to the days when I was in competition with the late Senzo Meyiwa, we would meet on national duty and plan, ‘Let’s give our fans something to smile about’. But still, you know, as Kaizer Chiefs, we had to win. And Senzo would say the same to me.”
Kaizer Chiefs have won the last four matches against Orlando Pirates. But Khune, who is competing with Brandon Pietersen for a place in the team, is not guaranteed to start this coming weekend’s match.
“The Derby has always been a great platform for us goalkeepers to showcase our talent, and obviously, to win the game and have the bragging rights between us.
“It has been a great journey for me, having participated in 27 Derbies.
It is more important for the Club to win the Derby and for our fans to have the bragging rights. So, going into this match, in our minds we are going to win and make it five in a row.”