With Khune – an influential figure at Chiefs – out due to a nagging ankle injury, Stuart Baxter is faced with making a brave decision between any of his relatively inexperienced keepers Brilliant Khuzwayo or Reyaad Pieterse.
Aware of the difference that Khune always makes, Meyiwa believes they should take advantage of the fact that neither Khuzwayo nor Pieterse is familiar with Derby nerves.
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“Whoever is going to be given the opportunity to play against Orlando Pirates is going to be scared, I know that for sure because it is never easy to play against Pirates. We must use this [absence of Khune] as an advantage so that when we get an opportunity we shoot as much as we can,” says Meyiwa with conviction in his speech.
Though Pieterse managed to keep a clean sheet back in March when he stood in for Khune in a 1-0 Soweto Derby victory, Meyiwa is not convinced the 22-year-old will stand up to the intimidating atmosphere that will greet him at Moses Mabhida Stadium if Baxter chooses to go with him.
“I remember the coloured boy was the goalkeeper [in the 1-0 victory]. He once came here to Pirates and trained with us so I know him very well and he is a good goalkeeper but I am telling you Pirates and Chiefs is not an easy game, I know it from experience, so obviously the first 15 minutes he is going to be nervous so we must try and get more scoring opportunities,” he says.
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Meyiwa seems convinced that you need character to stand up to this fixture, which belittles any football contest in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Even if it is not a final, a derby is always difficult. It is never easy and you tend to feel like there is something heavy on your shoulders, but you need to be strong as a player and have a strong character to fight,” Meyiwa concludes.
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