Q&A with Chiefs Legend Cyril Nzama

The sparkle and sense of occasion of the Soweto Derby is never lost, even for Amakhosi and Pirates legends who all left their indelible mark on their respective clubs.

 Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Cyril Nzama is no exception.

 The 42-year-old Soweto-born Nzama was a hard as nails defender who co-incidentally made his Chiefs debut in a 1-all draw against the old enemy in 2000.

 Nzama, a Chiefs junior, played for Bay United in the Eastern Cape before returning to his old stomping ground.

 Nicknamed 'Skhokho' (The Man) he wore the famous gold Amakhosi jersey 211 times between 2000 and 2008 and also led the side to numerous titles before retiring his number 4 jersey.

 Nzama went on to make 44 appearances for Bafana Bafana between 2000 and 2007, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.

 He wore the famous gold Amakhosi jersey between 2000 and 2008 and also led the side to numerous title triumphs.

 Trevor Cramer chatted to Nzama ahead of the 161st edition of the Soweto Derby, which still divides families and splits the sprawling residential area  just south of Johannesburg in half.

 Nzama says it doesn't get any bigger than the Soweto Derby

Without leaving any doubt where he'll be on Saturday, the Chiefs legend says it is very hard to put away his Amakhosi cap and he still firmly backs Itumeleng Khune and the boys.

A newly-appointed coach from Scandinavia, Kjell Jonevret, will sit on the Pirates bench. He’ll come up against seasoned veteran and Amakhosi legend himself, Steve Komphela, a showdown which will add a new dimension to this particular showdown.

 Aside from victory in a pre-season Carling Black Label Cup clash, Chiefs boss Komphela has yet to win a derby as their mentor, but they are realistic championship contenders on this occasion. Pirates, on the other hand, are in unfamiliar territory, languishing in the bottom half of the log.

 Due to the high stakes and the expectations of the fans, Soweto derbies have often been lacklustre, boring affairs, with a high percentage of drawn games.

 On this occasion though, the Naturena team are the favourites based on league position and current form.

 But Nzama says form counts for very little in the derby. He believes Pirates are still an extremely dangerous proposition.

But, says Nzama,  it's not about the coaches. -- It's about the players and how they apply themselves on the field --- and more importantly -- THE FANS.

 On this occasion though, the Naturena team have to be the favourites based on league position and current form.

Honours: Cyril Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs) - African Cup Winners Cup 2001, BP Top Eight 2001, Coca Cola Cup 2001, PSL Runner Up 2000 – 2001, Coca Cola Cup Finalist 2002, Coca Cola Cup 2003, PSL Winner 2003 – 2004, Coca Cola Cup 2004, PSL Winner 2004-2005, SAA Supa Finalist 2004, 2005 - 2006 ABSA Cup Winner, 2006 - 2007 SAA Supa8 Winner.