Kaizer Chiefs' Mario Booysen Has Opened Up About The Soweto Derby
He's played in local derbies in Tshwane, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, and now Mario Booysen is hoping to make his first Soweto Derby appearance for Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow. Read: Billiat's Thoughts on Electric Soweto Derby Booysen, who joined the Glamour Boys in July, has vast experience playing in high pressure games over the years, with the 30-year-old having featured for Ajax Cape Town in the iKapa Derby in the Western Cape, represented both Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United in the Tshwane Derby, and gone to battle in KZN with Maritzburg United. It remains to be seen whether the tall centre back will be given a starting berth against Orlando Pirates tomorrow afternoon at FNB Stadium, but he's ready to give his all if called upon. He told the club's official website, "Derbies are something special, they are about pride and about bragging rights. There is a lot at stake. It's about two teams coming from the same town or area and who wants to dominate. I have been involved in a few derbies in the past. For example, the Tshwane derby between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns. "Before the match, I could immediately see in the dressing what was at stake, just by looking at my teammates who had been previously involved in that derby. I saw the attitude on their faces – the guys really wanted to come tops to have that bragging right of being the best. We won." His last derby ended in defeat though as the Urban Warriors were beaten by Cape Town City, and he'll be hoping for better if given the chance to shine at 15h30 tomorrow. Of course, nothing is bigger than the Soweto Derby. From a young age, I watched the matches between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. "One day I want to be part of this," I always thought when watching. "To be part of the Soweto Derby is what all payers want. It's the summum because the whole country comes to a standstill during that game. Of course, I don't know if I will play, sit on the bench or be in the stands come Saturday – it doesn't matter, just to be part of the Soweto Derby will be something amazing." Booysen will have been putting in the work all week to try and convince Giovanni Solinas that he deserves a spot in the starting line up, but admits that the collective comes first, saying, "Those are the moments every South African footballer lives for. It's is like playing for a cup trophy, it's something incredible and I will cherish it. For sure, we all want to win. In the end, it's all about the team, so it doesn't matter really in what way I will be involved on Saturday. I want to contribute to the team in whatever role. I can't wait for the Soweto Derby to kick off, it will be a memorable moment!"
