Monyane: Chiefs’ Success Benefits “Entire Country”
In a statement likely to disappoint Orlando Pirates fans, Thabiso Monyane appears to have taken a swipe at his former club. The right-back, who recently joined Kaizer Chiefs, suggested that “if Kaizer Chiefs do well, the entire country is happy.”
Monyane, 25, was promoted by Orlando Pirates ahead of the 2019/20 season and went on to win six domestic cups with the club.
He featured in 95 games for the Buccaneers, scoring four goals and providing three assists before leaving at the end of last season. He was swiftly signed by Amakhosi and traveled with them to the Netherlands for their pre-season camp.
Chiefs concluded their pre-season tour with a 2-1 loss against Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente on Wednesday evening. This season, Chiefs aim to build on their success from last season, which saw them win the Nedbank Cup against Monyane’s former club, Pirates, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“We Are Kaizer Chiefs, A Club With a Rich History”
“I feel optimistic,” Monyane stated. “We are Kaizer Chiefs, a club with a rich history. We have seen in Holland how big the club is, with so many fans coming out to support us. We don’t want to disappoint them.”
He then added the comment that has sparked debate: “If Kaizer Chiefs do well, the country does well. We want to put a smile on our supporters’ faces.”
Against Twente, Amakhosi conceded the first goal just before halftime. Captain Inácio Miguel netted the equalizer from the penalty spot in the second half, but the Dutch opponents scored the winner just before the final whistle.
“We conceded twice in critical phases of the game,” Monyane reflected. “That was tough. We worked so hard to get back into the game, and then we concede a goal so late. However, we learn from this. I always say, ‘you never lose, you always learn.'”
Monyane has shown promising early form in pre-season in the Netherlands. “I have been received well by the technical team, the players, and the staff, arriving from the other side of Soweto,” he declared. “It has been a breath of fresh air, and I am embracing a new culture.”
Amakhosi played five friendly matches during their pre-season camp in the Netherlands. They will next feature in the Toyota Cup, with Amakhosi hosting Ghana’s Asante Kotoko at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 26 July.
