Orlando Pirates new signing Makhehlene Makhaula says he's delighted to finally have the chance to play in the Soweto Derby.
Makhaula was signed from AmaZulu in the January transfer window alongside the likes of Marou Souaibou and Craig Martin and made his debut in the dying minutes against All Stars in the Nedbank Cup last 32 clash.
The hard-tackling midfielder was given his second appearance off the bench in a 2-1 win over Maritzburg United in the league and says he's looking forward to featuring in his first Soweto derby for Pirates against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs this coming weekend.
Read: Makhaula On Pirates Move: I Didn't Sleep!
"First of all it's really a great feeling for me to go and play my (first) Soweto Derby, I've always watched it on TV," Makhaula told the media in a press conference.
"I've been playing in the PSL for quite some time and I really wanted to play the Soweto derby.
"I think this is my chance to play my first Soweto Derby," he said.
"We do focus on our next game, the past game is gone, so it's another clash and it's a big one, so we need to focus on that one."
The 33-year old went on to mention Pirates players, current and present, who come from his area, Mohlakeng in Randfontein, who have inspired him to one day play for the Buccaneers.
"Ben Motshwari, Oupa Manyisa, even the legend Donald 'Ace' Khuse also played for both," he said.
"So I've always loved the Orlando Pirates Football Club," he added.
Makhaula has 153 league games under his belt since making his debut for the now defunct Free State Stars in 2014.
The Mohlakeng native only came to prominence in the last few seasons at former club AmaZulu, where he was part of the team that qualified for the CAF Champions League and the group stages for the first time in the club's history under former coach Benni McCarthy two seasons ago.
Makhaula was also a key member of the Usuthu team that reached the MTN8 final at the beginning of the season but narrowly lost 1-0 to Pirates.
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