Gloves Off with Andre Bloem - Boo boys

Gloves Off with Andre Bloem - Boo boys

I felt a strange delight when Kingston Nkhatha scored in the Soweto derby last weekend.

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Let me make it clear that I am not an Amakhosi supporter and that I have no axe to grind with Pirates.

I am a Sundowns fan and so was neutral in watching Chiefs and the Buccaneers in their duel.

I was happy for Nkhatha.

He has taken so much stick from sections of the Chiefs support and seeing him equalise in the derby was a sweet moment for me.

I am not going to discuss the validity of the goal here - but will say that he was probably lucky that the match officials were not at their sharpest at that moment.

I am also not going to say that Nkhatha has been a top performer for Chiefs this season.

However, I also do not believe that he has been as bad as some of the Chiefs fans are suggesting.

What I will say is that Lehlohonolo Majoro seems to be the preferred choice of the Amakhosi boo boys and that Nkhatha is most likely getting extra stick for not being Majoro.

Let me add here that FNB Stadium was not the only spot where boos could be heard last weekend.

There was also a bit of it at Newlands - but I am keen to focus more on soccer for this week (Pirates have a big game ahead and the Absa Currie Cup is done and dusted).

My opinion is that boos and jeers are not ideal, but also that sometimes fans feel it is the only way to voice their frustrations.

It is certainly better than supporters hurling missiles or invading the pitch.

Our fans should also be commended for not stooping to the racism currently prevalent in Italy and Eastern Europe.

We have also seen very little violence here in recent years, especially when compared to some of the fan battles that have marred the game in South America.

So while I am not keen on boos and jeers, I am happy that our fans seem content with voicing their opinions without resorting to violence or vandalism.

Let us hope to see a united front when Pirates host Al Ahly in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final on Saturday night.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Cyril Nzama, told me this week that the game at Orlando Stadium is about South Africa and not just the Buccaneers.

I suspect the majority of our rival fans will be happy to bury the hatchet for at least two days this month.

(File Photo:Gallo Images)

- Andre Bloem

Feel free to share your views on this debate by commenting below.

You can also chat to me on Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
 

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