Posted in News, Team News on Nov 01, 2019.
Since Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates first met in an official Soweto derby over 49 years ago, the rivalry between the clubs has intensified with each team vying for township supremacy whenever they clash. This weekend’s meeting between the sides takes on special significance for one Chiefs player 19-year-old Njabulo Blom. The young defender calls Soweto home as he grew up in Zondi 1 and at the age of six moved to Dobsonville.
He is well aware of what this game means to the fans of Amakhosi. “When I was younger, we would all get together in my house and watch the Soweto derby. Everyone dressed up in their team’s colours, the family was split down the middle with some supporting Chiefs and others Pirates. It was always a special occasion, personally I was always a Chiefs fan”.
While Njabulo is preparing for this game which will see Chiefs face Pirates in a Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash on Saturday in Durban, he is pleased to be part of the team’s preparations for this game. “This is a huge game historically and it is celebrated by all South Africans. it will mean a lot to me if I could play apart in the game,” he says.
Given the magnitude of the game, as a Sowetan Blom knows the historical importance of a clash between Chiefs and Pirates, and the importance of the game to the fans. “This game is like no other in South African soccer. Two teams with a rich history coming together. I know our supporters leave everything to come and watch us, so it is very important for us to get a good result on Saturday.”
As the game approaches, Blom is not getting carried away with the media hype surrounding it and is instead focused on the small details which will help his team be successful, “it is vital for us to focus in training and train the way we always do”.
Blom honed his skills with the Chiefs reserve team in the Multichoice Diski Challenge and was a winner with Arthur Zwane’s reserves in the 2017/18 Multichoice Diski Shield. He made his first team debut against Golden Arrows in a 2-0 Absa Premiership home win on the 1st October 2019.
Since then he has settled into his surroundings in the Chiefs first team. “The game against Arrows was the most challenging for me because it was my first professional game. I was nervous but the other guys helped me out and got me to settle in well. It was the kind of game which could have made me or broke me. Thanks to Godmy performance was good. We won and it has motivated me and helped me believe in my abilities,” he says.
Blom who is a former South Africa U-20 international will turn 20 in December was part of a strong Chiefs backline this past Sunday when the Amakhosi defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in a league game. The young defender could well be facing another tough examination on Saturday in Durban against Pirates. Kick-off for the game is at 15:00 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Tickets are sold out.
He is well aware of what this game means to the fans of Amakhosi. “When I was younger, we would all get together in my house and watch the Soweto derby. Everyone dressed up in their team’s colours, the family was split down the middle with some supporting Chiefs and others Pirates. It was always a special occasion, personally I was always a Chiefs fan”.
While Njabulo is preparing for this game which will see Chiefs face Pirates in a Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash on Saturday in Durban, he is pleased to be part of the team’s preparations for this game. “This is a huge game historically and it is celebrated by all South Africans. it will mean a lot to me if I could play apart in the game,” he says.
Given the magnitude of the game, as a Sowetan Blom knows the historical importance of a clash between Chiefs and Pirates, and the importance of the game to the fans. “This game is like no other in South African soccer. Two teams with a rich history coming together. I know our supporters leave everything to come and watch us, so it is very important for us to get a good result on Saturday.”
As the game approaches, Blom is not getting carried away with the media hype surrounding it and is instead focused on the small details which will help his team be successful, “it is vital for us to focus in training and train the way we always do”.
Blom honed his skills with the Chiefs reserve team in the Multichoice Diski Challenge and was a winner with Arthur Zwane’s reserves in the 2017/18 Multichoice Diski Shield. He made his first team debut against Golden Arrows in a 2-0 Absa Premiership home win on the 1st October 2019.
Since then he has settled into his surroundings in the Chiefs first team. “The game against Arrows was the most challenging for me because it was my first professional game. I was nervous but the other guys helped me out and got me to settle in well. It was the kind of game which could have made me or broke me. Thanks to Godmy performance was good. We won and it has motivated me and helped me believe in my abilities,” he says.
Blom who is a former South Africa U-20 international will turn 20 in December was part of a strong Chiefs backline this past Sunday when the Amakhosi defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in a league game. The young defender could well be facing another tough examination on Saturday in Durban against Pirates. Kick-off for the game is at 15:00 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Tickets are sold out.
