ROWEN Fernandez knows exactly what it’s like to be nailed to a cross, ready for the stoning, in the Soweto derby and he has predicted that goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa will shine for Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final on Saturday.
Meyiwa is riding a crest of a wave for club and country this year, which was capped by being named Bafana Bafana captain for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.
He kept two good clean sheets away to Sudan and against Nigeria in Cape Town – he is making steady advances towards adversary Itumeleng Khune’s title as “Mzansi’s No 1”.
“Senzo has the upperhand because he has been the more regular goalkeeper of late and he got the massive confidence-boosting captaincy of the national team, awarded by Shakes Mashaba,” said Fernandez.
“Senzo has the experience of playing in the national team and playing away in Africa in pretty hostile conditions. He is a man in rich form.”
Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter will toss a coin before the match at Moses Mabhida Stadium to decide who will replace injured Khune in goal between Reyaad Pieterse and Brilliant Khuzwayo. The gaffer has a bit of a Petr Cech-Thibaut Courtois situation on his hands and he’s playing Jose Mourinho by keeping everyone in suspense.
Khuzwayo was in goal in Chiefs’ 2-1 win over University of Pretoria and conceded the penalty – scything down Atusaye Nyondo in the box – that made the win a little less comfortable for their liking.
Fernandez said that during his time with the Glamour Boys – in the pre-Khune era that seems so long ago – matches between the two teams were always high in intensity and the fervour would always reach boiling point. Whoever gets picked to start, he said, would have to make sure that communication lines aren’t jammed at the back and calm heads are kept.
“Playing for a team like Chiefs or Pirates means you’re under the microscope in almost every game, so you kind of get used to dealing with the pressure from game to game,” said Fernandez.
“The intensity rises when you’re playing in a cup final. As a goalkeeper you have to minimise your mistakes and keep your defenders on their toes and keep everybody calm at the same time. It is easier said than done at times. Communication is vital.
“During my time we had Fabian McCarthy, Patrick Mabedi, Patrick Mayo and Cyril Nzama at the back and as long as we kept talking to each other, kept ourselves sharp and awake, we always minimised Pirates’ threats.
“Pieterse and Khuzwayo would have both watched Khune from the bench a few times and drawn on his experience.”
Meyiwa yesterday boldly declared that the Buccaneers would be the first team to beat Chiefs this season. Fernandez, on the other hand, backed Amakhosi to get the better of the old enemy because of the good run of wins they have put together, despite not having the services of their premium gloveman.
Derby all in Senzo’s hands
Meyiwa is riding a crest of a wave for club and country this year, which was capped by being named Bafana Bafana captain for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.
He kept two good clean sheets away to Sudan and against Nigeria in Cape Town – he is making steady advances towards adversary Itumeleng Khune’s title as “Mzansi’s No 1”.
“Senzo has the upperhand because he has been the more regular goalkeeper of late and he got the massive confidence-boosting captaincy of the national team, awarded by Shakes Mashaba,” said Fernandez.
“Senzo has the experience of playing in the national team and playing away in Africa in pretty hostile conditions. He is a man in rich form.”
Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter will toss a coin before the match at Moses Mabhida Stadium to decide who will replace injured Khune in goal between Reyaad Pieterse and Brilliant Khuzwayo. The gaffer has a bit of a Petr Cech-Thibaut Courtois situation on his hands and he’s playing Jose Mourinho by keeping everyone in suspense.
Khuzwayo was in goal in Chiefs’ 2-1 win over University of Pretoria and conceded the penalty – scything down Atusaye Nyondo in the box – that made the win a little less comfortable for their liking.
Fernandez said that during his time with the Glamour Boys – in the pre-Khune era that seems so long ago – matches between the two teams were always high in intensity and the fervour would always reach boiling point. Whoever gets picked to start, he said, would have to make sure that communication lines aren’t jammed at the back and calm heads are kept.
“Playing for a team like Chiefs or Pirates means you’re under the microscope in almost every game, so you kind of get used to dealing with the pressure from game to game,” said Fernandez.
“The intensity rises when you’re playing in a cup final. As a goalkeeper you have to minimise your mistakes and keep your defenders on their toes and keep everybody calm at the same time. It is easier said than done at times. Communication is vital.
“During my time we had Fabian McCarthy, Patrick Mabedi, Patrick Mayo and Cyril Nzama at the back and as long as we kept talking to each other, kept ourselves sharp and awake, we always minimised Pirates’ threats.
“Pieterse and Khuzwayo would have both watched Khune from the bench a few times and drawn on his experience.”
Meyiwa yesterday boldly declared that the Buccaneers would be the first team to beat Chiefs this season. Fernandez, on the other hand, backed Amakhosi to get the better of the old enemy because of the good run of wins they have put together, despite not having the services of their premium gloveman.
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