Soweto Derby: Pre-Game | 18 Apr 2026

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Build-up, arrivals and team news ahead of the Soweto Derby.

Summary

AI · transcript

The speaker reflects on a successful previous game, attributing it to teamwork and focus. He emphasizes the importance of the upcoming derby, highlighting its global significance and the team's commitment to winning. The coach also discusses managing a motivated squad and the need for players to perform under pressure in front of a large crowd, aiming to deliver an exciting match for fans worldwide.

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Good afternoon, everyone. It's really a pleasure to, again, to be among you. Yes, I think the
first experience was very good for us, at least about the result. It was the result that we
expected because we work for that. We prepared. The guys did very well. The technical staff, the
management, the players, you know, we were very, really focused on the target and what we want to
achieve, about the game plan, how we want to attack, how we want to defend the way that we have
started, the opponent as well. So I think everybody did his job, but now it's another game. It's another
game. We have seen that CASA chief was doing well since, I think, many games. They really fit. So
for us, it will be another game, different context, different environment. We have to prepare for
that and, yeah, we will do our best, again, to make up your offense and to keep going, you know.
I think first of all, it will be important, you know, because you are not playing only the derby.
The players have in their mind the history, the legacy. It's one of the best games in Africa,
not only in South Africa. This game is watched by all of the people in Africa, in Europe as well,
because I come from France. So I can tell you that straight, a lot of people are asking about that
game from England as well, because I play there. So a lot of people are ready to watch that game.
I received some calls from the US as well. So telling you that a lot of people here doing their
job, they're doing their duty to prepare that derby. So for us, it will be very important to
prepare it as well. And to answer to your question, you know, we've been looking after ourselves
since the beginning of the season about how we want to compete, how we want to play our games,
against the opponent, you know, we playing our games either away or at home to win them.
So there is not, we are not going to change our fighting spirit, our spirit to start that game.
And we know the target that we want to achieve at the end of the season. So we are giving all
efforts, all our commitment, 100% of our lives every day, to reach the target.
Yeah, you know, like the coach mentioned it, we have to manage a group of players, that's it,
you know, and to keep the right atmosphere in the team. It will not be easy, because I have
very hungry players. Exactly. And it's the first time that I have seen the physio room empty,
so it means that everybody is ready to play. So yeah, it will be difficult to make some tough
decision that we will have to do it. And what I'm expecting is some players that are willing
to give their best on the pitch without any pressure. Very important, you know, because when you are
playing front of 90,000 people, it's not a normal game, it's like I said, one of the biggest in the
world. So we will need really, really some players to be focused on the event. And trying to give
their best for the fans, you know, because we have an accountability, we have a responsibility,
both of us, both of us, the two clubs, to deliver a good show during that game, because like I
told you, everyone in the world are going to watch that game. So it will be very important of
all to release this rivalry, but to give some good show for the fans and to be happy, you know.