Siphiwe Tshabalala: Soweto Derby a chance for Kaizer Chiefs to redeem themselves

Amakhosi are now well on their way to finishing their ninth consecutive season without silverware.

Tshabalala says a victory this afternoon will bring back hope to Amakhosi fans.

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"The results are important in the calendar of football, they have to do well, make sure that they get the points and I think this is the game that will give them an opportunity to redeem themselves,” Tshabalala said.

“There's all to play for, it might look like there's nothing to play for because of two cups or three cups that have gone and the league looks like it's far-fetched now, however playing for a brand of Chiefs calibre, there's a lot to play for.

“A win tomorrow will give the fans something to talk about. It will also give the fans a good memory and it [will] also wipe their tears of a so-called bad season."

Tshabalala also shared fond memories of Kaizer Chiefs fallen legend and SABC Sport analyst Siphiwe “Dr Mnandi” Mkhonza, he was speaking after the memorial service held at the SABC head offices at Auckland Park, in honour of Mkhonza, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 44.

He recalled how as a 22-year-old was welcomed by Mkhonza in an invitational XI against a Bafana Bafana team that was on its way to the 2006 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.

Tshabalala who ended up making up that AFCON squad, still playing in the National First Division (NFD) at the time with Free State Stars, says Mkhonza was one of the senior players who were very kind to him.

"Skizo was a good human. I think before the status, we are all human beings and he was a great person with a great personality, very vibrant. I remember my encounter with him in 2005 when I got a call up for PSL 11 to play against Bafana Bafana and upon arrival at Katherine Southern Sun in camp.

“Being a youngster, coming from a small team, and also being a rookie in the PSL, I was in my shell, very shy and I got to be in an environment with big stars including him. He's one of the people that made my camp a memorable one because whenever he was around, he'll crack jokes, give people nicknames and I really had a great camp," he added.

A year later, Tshabalala recalls meeting Mkhonza again and still warmly welcomed him after his dream move to Chiefs.

"A year later, I joined Chiefs, I found him there and he was still the same Siphiwe, making sure that I was okay, I settled in well and also we share the same manager as well from the same stable professionals. So, we got along very well."

Amakhosi are now well on their way to finishing their ninth consecutive season without silverware.

Tshabalala says a victory this afternoon will bring back hope to Amakhosi fans.

"The results are important in the calendar of football, they have to do well, make sure that they get the points and I think this is the game that will give them an opportunity to redeem themselves,” Tshabalala said.

“There's all to play for, it might look like there's nothing to play for because of two cups or three cups that have gone and the league looks like it's far-fetched now, however playing for a brand of Chiefs calibre, there's a lot to play for.

“A win tomorrow will give the fans something to talk about. It will also give the fans a good memory and it [will] also wipe their tears of a so-called bad season."

Tshabalala also shared fond memories of Kaizer Chiefs fallen legend and SABC Sport analyst Siphiwe “Dr Mnandi” Mkhonza, he was speaking after the memorial service held at the SABC head offices at Auckland Park, in honour of Mkhonza, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 44.

He recalled how as a 22-year-old was welcomed by Mkhonza in an invitational XI against a Bafana Bafana team that was on its way to the 2006 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.

Tshabalala who ended up making up that AFCON squad, still playing in the National First Division (NFD) at the time with Free State Stars, says Mkhonza was one of the senior players who were very kind to him.

"Skizo was a good human. I think before the status, we are all human beings and he was a great person with a great personality, very vibrant. I remember my encounter with him in 2005 when I got a call up for PSL 11 to play against Bafana Bafana and upon arrival at Katherine Southern Sun in camp.

“Being a youngster, coming from a small team, and also being a rookie in the PSL, I was in my shell, very shy and I got to be in an environment with big stars including him. He's one of the people that made my camp a memorable one because whenever he was around, he'll crack jokes, give people nicknames and I really had a great camp," he added.

A year later, Tshabalala recalls meeting Mkhonza again and still warmly welcomed him after his dream move to Chiefs.

"A year later, I joined Chiefs, I found him there and he was still the same Siphiwe, making sure that I was okay, I settled in well and also we share the same manager as well from the same stable professionals. So, we got along very well."