Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas defended his backline after the Soweto derby loss to Orlando Pirates saying Chiefs have the best defenders in South Africa, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Italian saw his side burst into an early lead at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon after Khama Billiat capitalised on a Siyabonga Mpontshane error to tap home into an empty net after 15 minutes.

Chiefs, not for the first time this season, showed their defensive frailties. The Glamour Boys gave away a penalty, which was well saved by Itumeleng Khune, before conceding two goals in the space of three minutes as Innocent Maela and Vincent Pule fired the Buccaneers into a first-half lead.

Chiefs fought hard to salvage a point, but it was not to be for the Amakhosi, who remain winless in a league derby since 2014.

After the game, the media asked both Solinas and Khune about the defensive pairing of Mario Booysen and Siyabonga Ngezana. After the topic was brought up yet again later in the presser, the Italian coach leapt to the defence of his players.

‘This is the second question about the central defenders,’ interjected Solinas after Khune had finished responding to a question about the pair.

‘Listen to me, I would not change my defenders with defenders of Pirates or Sundowns or any other team. Me, I keep my defenders.

‘I don’t know, it was not a poor performance from my defenders, I believe in my defenders.

‘Not only the defenders that played today, but also the defenders that stayed on the bench or in the stands.

‘We have good defenders, I have no concern about this.

‘We have the best defenders in South Africa, Kaizer Chiefs has the best defenders,’ concluded the coach.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix