Soweto derby: ‘Certified Glamour Boy’ Thabiso Monyane ready to face former club Orlando Pirates
Betway Premiership
Thabiso Monyane is ready to face his past this Saturday, but first, he’s focused on revenge against Stellenbosch on Tuesday night. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Thabiso Monyane will be eager to silence his detractors when Kaizer Chiefs host his childhood and former club Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3.30pm kick-off).
Monyane joined Chiefs during the winter transfer window, ending a 13-year spell at Pirates, having arrived at the club as a 12-year-old.
He formed such a strong bond with the Buccaneers that he vowed he wouldn’t leave the club until they won their second star. However, after coming close last season – finishing in the CAF Champions League semi-final – the club ultimately severed ties with him, deciding against renewing his contract.
Given his lengthy spell at Pirates, where he developed from the junior ranks to the first team, Monyane’s move to Chiefs was regarded as a betrayal. Others believe he still loves Pirates more and only joined their crosstown rivals for money.
Monyane, speaking at Chiefs Village ahead of the Betway Premiership clash against Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night (7.30pm kick-off) — ahead of the Soweto derby — revealed how he has found life at his new home, while also taking a swipe at his critics.
“I am proud to say I am a certified 'Glamour Boy',” Monyane said. “I have been welcomed with both arms.
“The journey has been good. It’s a new direction for me and my career. I am looking forward to making history, and the challenges and the journey that the club will take part in.
"No one knows, we might finish in the top-two and go back to the CAF Champions League. We are an honest group.”
After making his professional breakthrough a few years ago, then-Pirates’ coach Rulani Mokwena lauded Monyane as the best right-back in the country. But thanks to injuries and a change of coaches, he failed to live up to Mokwena’s praise.
As such, Monyane has fallen down the pecking order at Bafana Bafana, with coach Hugo Broos preferring Khuliso Mudau and Thabang Matuludi as his first- and second-choice right-back respectively.
Monyane, though, is not worried about the outside noise surrounding his struggles with consistency since Mokwena’s praise, saying no one knows what the future holds.
“I mean, what’s said was said,” Monyane said. “I am on a new journey, and looking forward to what lies ahead.
“There’ll be a lot of noise, but hey I am looking forward to hard work and dedication. We are pushing together towards one dream and one. So, yeah, we’ll see in the future.”
Granted, the derby is the sought-after feature on the South African sporting calendar this week, but Chiefs still have a must-win match against Stellenbosch at home.
Beating Stellies wouldn’t only boost Amakhosi morale ahead of the derby, or avenge the 2-1 defeat in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 a few weeks ago, but it would elevate them on the log standings. They are currently fourth with 30 points, eight behind Pirates, who have played two games more.
“Going to the game, we understand the magnitude of the game,” said Monyane ahead of the clash against Stellies.
“We are looking forward to the game. We are going to the league game with the same mentality.
“We started the season very well. So, we are looking forward to finishing the season well. So, that’s why we are taking the game seriously.”
Kaizer Chiefs players during their training session at the team's village in Naturena on Monday. Chiefs will host Stellenbosch FC during the Betway Premiership League at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Following the failure to reach the knockout stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, the only silverware Chiefs can compete for this season is the league.
With Pirates also having their eyes fixed on the league to complete a domestic treble after already winning the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, and Sundowns wanting to win the league and Champions League this season, the question is if Chiefs are worried about their rivals’ progress, particularly after mastering the title race, having finished second and first in the last three seasons in a row.
“We are running our own race, and not solely focused on other teams,” Monyane replied.
“From where we were last season to where we are is a massive improvement. I am happy to be here. So, we are just focused on ourselves.”
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch