DURBAN – Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates marksman Pollen Ndlanya is banking on Ryan Moon to deliver the goals in next week's much anticipated Soweto derby.
Amakhosi and the Bucs will lock horns at FNB Stadium in a Premiership clash which will kick off at 3.30pm.
Moon has been in fine scoring form for Amakhosi in the past couple of matches.
There’s been an outcry in the public about the lack of goals in the past Soweto derbies.
Ndlanya, who knows the pressure of playing in derby matches, believes that Moon can deliver the goods.
“The derby should be about goals and we want to see goals. I believe Moon can score in the derby. I think it will be an interesting game because both teams are starting to gain momentum. Moon is good in the air, very aggressive and he has the right height for a striker. He has got everything. He needs to stay consistent and focused. So far so good for him,” Ndlanya elaborated.
Ndlanya spent two seasons at Amakhosi, scoring 27 goals in 54 appearances.
“What I like about the boy is that he believes in himself. He can jump. He is the striker who we need, very aggressive. The only thing he needs to do is to stay consistent because Chiefs fans are spoiled. They want to win every time. Once he starts scoring like he has done, they will start to put pressure on him to do it week in and week out and that’s where you need to stay focused,” Ndlanya explained.
Chiefs and Pirates played out to 0-0 stalemate when the two giants met during the first round.
“I think there will be goals this time around and it will be good to see goals. This game is like an El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It become boring if the game end in 0-0 score line. This one will be interesting because the log positions of both teams," Ndlanya stated.
The tickets for the Chiefs and Pirates clash are already on sale.
Shaun Bartlett, who played for Chiefs during the final years of his career, has revealed that he has offered Moon some sort of advice.
“It is a privilege to score in the derby. It is one of those big moments. When you score in the derby you get appreciated. I’ve spoken to him personally. I don’t want to put him under pressure. He is still establishing himself. Ryan is still young and he has good technical awareness. He is agile. This game won’t produce a lot of goals. I predict a 2-1 score line, “ Bartlett said.