Jimmy Tau on Pirates, Chiefs & Soweto Derby Tips

31 October 2019, by: Leonard Solms

Jimmy Tau speaks on the Pirates, Chiefs & Soweto Derby Tips

Ahead of Saturday’s Soweto derby in the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals,  Brand Ambassador Jimmy Tau looked back on his favourite memories from the fixture, in which he represented both clubs. 

Although he fondly recalls his breakthrough in the colours of Orlando Pirates, the former right-back also relished haunting the Ghost while at Kaizer Chiefs.

Tau insists he did not regret his move from the Buccaneers to Amakhosi even when the former won the double treble. However, he has revealed that Orlando Pirates fans are generally more forgiving towards him now than they were at the time of his 2005 transfer to the Glamour Boys.

“I think it has settled down. They have made peace with the fact that I was once their captain and an integral part of the team,” says the former Bucs and Amakhosi captain of his relationship with Pirates supporters.

“I joined Chiefs and it has fizzled down since I retired. There are those that still feel hard done by, but there are those who are saying: ‘Look, we are just glad that we got to experience you at our club and we appreciate everything that you did for us while playing for Orlando Pirates.'”

Two Soweto derbies stand out to Tau as particularly special: his first for Orlando Pirates and for Kaizer Chiefs.

“My first official game in Orlando Pirates colours was against Kaizer Chiefs. For me, that game will always stand out to be one of the highlights of my career,” Tau recalls.

“We unfortunately lost that game 1-0, but for me, it was just a dream come true to play in the Soweto derby.

“All the other derbies that followed while I was at Pirates will always be special, but I think the one that stands out most is when I moved from Orlando Pirates to join Chiefs — I think my first derby against Orlando Pirates.

“We won that one 2-0 and I think it was such an emotional one, because obviously, I had just moved from Pirates to join Chiefs and it was my first time meeting Orlando Pirates.

“It was a very hostile one, a very emotional one, but the experience — I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Heading into Saturday’s Telkom Knockout tie at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs have five wins in a row including a penalty shootout victory over Cape Town City. By contrast, Orlando Pirates have won just three of their last 12 games.

“If form is to go by for this particular encounter, Chiefs would be the favourites. However, I think it puts Orlando Pirates in a better position to come into this game as underdogs because no-one really expects a lot from them,” claims Tau.

“When you look at their recent form in the past two, three seasons, Pirates have always been able to beat Chiefs.

“They can’t take Orlando Pirates for granted coming into this particular game.”

Officiating has been a widely-debated aspect of South African football recently. Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has repeatedly accused Chiefs of benefiting from poor decisions. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates beat Highlands Park 1-0 due to a late offside goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa, who could have been sent off in the first half.

Tau, however, has urged players not to pay attention what is beyond their control, saying: “The moment you start focusing on the referee, you then lose the plot of what you have to do — the responsibilities you have as a player, as a captain.

“You start losing focus, because now, you are too focused on the mistakes from the referee. That is where a lot of teams have lost games. Tomorrow, when they reflect, they realise that 60% of their focus was more on what the referee was doing wrong.”

Tau is initially noncommital when asked for a score prediction, saying: “Chiefs look very good, Orlando Pirates have come from a good result. It’s very difficult to give a prediction.

“But, for the sake of football, I would want to wish both teams the best of luck. May the best team win on the day.

“If I had to really be put on a corner, I will go for a narrow Chiefs win this time around.”

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