Zitha Kwinika’s cold response to Soweto Derby hype

Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Zitha Kwinika has laughed off suggestions that the Glamour Boys are already dreaming of Saturday’s Soweto Derby, insisting that their immediate focus is strictly on tonight’s high-stakes clash against Stellenbosch FC.

Amakhosi return to domestic action at FNB Stadium this evening following a gruelling 10-day break. They were last seen in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Zamalek SC, a result that saw them crash out of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Despite the looming shadow of the weekend’s massive showdown against league leaders Orlando Pirates, Kwinika claims the “Derby fever” hasn’t hit the dressing room yet.

“That one is straightforward. I also didn’t know that we are playing a derby on Saturday,” Kwinika joked during Monday’s media open day at Naturena. “We are playing Stellenbosch tomorrow [Tuesday], our focus is on tomorrow’s game. The other one, we will see in days to come.”

𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞? 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘?

Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane downplays the “revenge” talk but admits the squad is locked in for tonight’s battle against Stellenbosch FC.

After two cup exits at the hands of the Winelands side, Monyane says… pic.twitter.com/Cn9zejxSBQ

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) February 24, 2026

A Score to Settle with the Maroons Before Soweto Derby, Says Kwinika

While the fans might be eyeing the Buccaneers, the technical team knows that Stellenbosch FC has been a persistent thorn in Chiefs’ side this season. The Cape Winelands outfit has already derailed two of Amakhosi’s trophy hunts, knocking them out of both the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup.

Sitting fourth on the log—eight points behind Pirates but with two games in hand—a win tonight is non-negotiable if Chiefs want to stay in the title conversation.

Right-back Thabiso Monyane echoed Kwinika’s sentiments, reinforcing the “tunnel vision” approach currently adopted at the Village.

“Like my colleague said, we take one game at a time. We don’t look into the future, but we are fully focused on Stellenbosch,” Monyane added.

With Pirates currently on a two-match winless run, a victory over Stellies tonight would provide the perfect psychological springboard for Chiefs heading into Saturday. However, as Kwinika suggests, they can’t afford to stumble against their “bogey team” by looking too far ahead.

Kickoff for Kaizer Chiefs vs. Stellenbosch FC is set for 19:30 tonight at FNB Stadium.