Chiefs’ loss an emotional let-down

Sandile Dikeni

Okay it is not aggression. It is just about getting tired of losing. For the last two weeks the SABC conveyed lots of losses in sport. The first was the Springboks who could not defeat New Zealand.

Then, believe it or not, the Kaizer Chiefs team failed to defeat their old football rivals Orlando Pirates. Lets be clear about this – the Chiefs loss was not 1-0. Nor was it 2-0. It was 3-1. Knowing Pirates fans, let me say, it is no secret that they regarded this as their moment of exaggerated celebrations, especially when they could see what the effect the result had on Chiefs supporter.

Imagine then my plight at the cruel social moments I had to endure with Orlando Pirates fans. They are not very civilised in my eyes. They can not be.

It is fair to say that many of them have tried to walk the beautiful paths of civility but failed. Some of them even went to the University of the Western Cape, received a degree but still emerged uncivilised.

Let me abstain from mentioning them by name, but rather say their crudeness was not indicative of a fine understanding of football as a sport.

One would have thought their exaggerated excitement was justified on the day of the game, but no, it has dragged on for days. And then amazingly, they further exaggerated by claiming that, since the PSL was formed, Pirates had won most of the Chiefs-Pirates derby.

I was not inclined to enter the debate, suspecting it would carry a lot of non-polished Orlando Pirates aggression and, let me say, arrogance. Kaizer Chiefs fans, on the other hand, were a demonstration of royalty in their humility.

True, they were upset, not at merely losing 3-1 but losing to Orlando Pirates at FNB stadium. It is important to note that this Chiefs loss was on their home ground.

Watching the game, I saw Chiefs’ placid attacks and weak defence, and wondered if they were not, maybe, in a strategic mood that could lead Pirates into a false sense of confidence. But, no.

To be honest, I decided to watch the game on my own to avoid the screeching Buccaneer fans at the shebeens. It did not help. Orlando Pirates were playing a kind of soccer they have not played in South Africa for years. It is only fair to say the buccaneers are one of the better teams in Africa.

That said, let me say the loss will not undermine Kaizer Chiefs as a football aristocracy in South Africa.

They are really the royalty of South African football. In Soweto, Chiefs, Pirates and Moroka Swallows have for a long time been regarded as the royalty of SA football. Swallows has since lost their spot in the premier league, and Chiefs, therefore, have only Pirates as a major competition in the PSL.

Why then did they lose against Pirates last weekend? Well, I did not see it as an Itumeleng Kune weakness. In fact, I could not see the logic of the loss in that game. I also could not see the ‘brilliance’ of Orlando Pirates at FNB.

The fans at the stadium were also not shy to show that they regarded Kaizer Chiefs as the royalty of the game. Chiefs, however, did not show, any aristocracy or royalty in that game.

Describing their attacks is difficult. It is obvious that their strategies in midfield and defence were not something to praise or even talk about.

I am not sure what the stats say about a 3-1 score line in the Chiefs-Pirates debacle, but instinct tells me that Chiefs should have been the rulers here.

Instinct aside, it is general knowledge that that the dynamism of the national team (Bafana Bafana) can be found in the game played by Chiefs’ players when we play other countries.

I am not saying that Pirates players have not played a role. I am just saying that it has been obvious that Chiefs players played a bigger role in the national team’s victories in international games.

This is said knowing that the many Orlando Pirates soothsayers are likely to go to UCT, University of Stellenbosch or Wits to disprove my assertions, but that is football.

The last match between Chiefs and Pirates made me wish I was a football player.

I never thought that a football loss could hurt so much. I could be exaggerating, but imagination does say the pain was not merely psychological hurt, but real as in my limbs and arms. It was physical.

Imagine the Orlando Pirates’ glee when they see a Chiefs’ contorted face. Many of these fans are the kind that never seem to understand that a smile does wonders to the human’s physical features. But when Kaizer Chiefs lost to Pirates, they behaved like they know that the human being’s best attribute is called a smile.

It is also my opinion that Chiefs lost against Pirates at the end of the month. End of the month is payday. So, most of the township dwellers have money.

If they have money can you imagine the celebrations that were held by Orlando Pirates supporters? Just think about it. I must submit that if the victory was a Chiefs celebration, it was not likely to have the crudeness of last weekend.

To be on the safe side, I also dodged many of my so-called Pirates friends.

I am going to wait until the second league match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates before I call them. This means that I am not going to take their calls.

Fortunately, cellphones tell you who is calling and, therefore, gives me a chance to avoid a nasty call. I do think that this characteristic of technology was not intended in this way, but I can’t see why it can’t be used this way.

I have heard from soccer fundis that the next Soweto derby will be in a few weeks’ time, so please wait with me. I am not the one who likes to make predictions but I can not see how Kaizer Chiefs can be beaten again by Orlando Pirates.

It is also wonderful that the next Chiefs-Pirates debacle will be at Orlando Stadium (Pirates’ home ground).

I can see how Chiefs supporters will take over Orlando, Meadowlands, Dube, Dobsonville and Mofolo, just to show the aristocracy of Kaizer Chiefs. It is common knowledge that I am not a crude soccer fan, but let me confess that I don’t really like a soccer loss.

I will not allow a peaceful game, like soccer, to drive me to violence but I can see the loss of patience in a Chiefs-Pirates debacle. It is an emotional moment in football.

Personally, I think it is in the same league as a game between Manchester United and Liverpool. I once went to this debacle in London.

I left thinking that the English should come to South Africa to learn about good behaviour.

When I said this to friends with me in London at the time, they agreed.