Kaizer Chiefs could have three new elements to be confident of ahead of the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
Chiefs enter the second instalment of the Soweto derby in the Betway Premiership this season, somewhat carrying the same underdog tag after a 1-0 defeat in February.
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Amakhosi, however, exceeded the expectations in a last-minute defeat three months ago, having the aura of new signings Makabi Lilepo, Thabo Cele and Tashreeq Morris, that added to them a renewed confidence.
However, on debuts, Cele, who featured for only 39 minutes and Lilepo, who played for half-an-hour, could hardly make an impact while Morris was signed carrying a suspension from SuperSport United.
Playing in the Soweto derby on debut could have been overwhelming for Lilepo and Cele, who have now settled, as former midfielder Josta Dladla detailed his first derby experience after he joined from Mamelodi Sundowns.
"The most ultimate thing I saw was the first derby I had. When the derby came, that's when I understood that Sundowns is a good team, Sundowns has got money but yoh!! When you walk out of the tunnel, Buccaneer only filled the grandstand, they will kill me, but Chiefs all over! Yoh!" Dladla reflected in an interview on The George Mokoena podcast.
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"(Joining Chiefs) is massive, this is one of the biggest brands in Africa, compared to the likes of Al Ahly, Pirates is old but it's not bigger than Chiefs. If Chiefs start winning games then you'll understand how big they are.
"Sundowns do well, (also) money wise but fan base, you can't compare to Chiefs. When I got to Naturena, it's top, I came from money but here you can see you're in the money for real," Dladla added.
With the first derby nerves out of the way, Chiefs can now rely on Lilepo and Cele to live up to their billing while Morris presents an element of surprise in his first Soweto derby.
