Former Kaizer Chiefs duo Vusi Lamola and Lucky Stylianou have heaped praise on Amakhosi’s performance during their 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Amakhosi and the Buccaneers were forced to share the spoils in a thrilling Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium when an own goal by Tshepo Masilela cancelled out Joseph Molangoane’s 16th-minute opener as both sides walked away with a point each.

Lamola believes the Glamour Boys defence did well throughout the match, but insist that they afford Pirates too much space to pass the ball around.

‘We gave away too much space in the first half. The centre-backs, Lorenzo Gordinho and Erick Mathoho did well, but there was too much room for Pirates to move in,’ Lamola told the Kaizer Chiefs website.

‘If it wasn’t for Khune we would have been behind, the scoreboard was not a true reflection of the first half.’

Meanwhile, former Amakhosi defender Lucky Stylianou went on to praise Amakhosi trio Katsande, Khune, and Parker for their performances, but also insisted that the Soweto derby is a great platform to promote South African football to the world.

‘Willard Katsande held the centre together, winning nearly all his battles, but he wasn’t always backed up by his compatriots in the midfield. Itumeleng Khune, however, had a brilliant first half, while Bernard Parker also did well up-front,’ Stylianou said.

‘This game was certainly a showcase for South African soccer.

‘It showed as well that we can compete with the best of the world when it comes to the short passing game, the ball being passed over five to ten meters, although, maybe, we could improve a bit with the distribution over longer distances.’

Kaizer Chiefs will next take on Stellenbosch in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 tie at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 20:15.

Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix