Khanyisa Mayo isn't backing down ahead of his first Soweto derby. With 90 000 fans expected at FNB Stadium, can the Glamour Boys turn "luck" into goals against their arch-rivals? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Kaizer Chiefs striker Khanyisa Mayo has attributed the team’s recent struggles in front of goal to a lack of luck as they prepare to face off against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership at the FNB Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3.30pm).
Chiefs approach their first Soweto derby of the season still in pursuit of a first win over their rivals in the past two campaigns. With the pressure intensifying to sustain their title charge, focus has shifted to their struggle to turn encouraging displays into goals.
Despite flashes of encouraging play, the Glamour Boys have found the net less frequently than expected, scoring 16 goals in their last 16 league matches. Mayo, currently on loan from CR Belouizdad, acknowledged that while their finishing has not been clinical enough, the overall attacking approach remains positive.
“It’s just pure luck on the day,” Mayo said ahead of the clash.
“We create seven or eight chances per game and we only manage to score one or two goals. That doesn’t put us where we want to be in the goal-scoring charts. But for us, it’s about taking it one game at a time, staying positive and supporting one another as attackers.
“If you get a chance, you have to put it in the back of the net. And if it doesn’t happen, we’ll create more opportunities. We’ve seen in other games that we are creating many chances — we just need to convert them.”
Mayo’s loan spell is set to conclude at the end of the season. The striker has faced stiff competition in the attacking department, which has limited his game time in recent
However, he remains confident that his opportunity will come and is determined to seize it when it does. He insists he feels no added pressure despite missing out on valuable chances to impress ahead of a potential permanent move.
“The pressure has always been there — I was born into a family of pressure,” he continued.
“Playing for Kaizer Chiefs means there will always be expectations. It’s not something I can’t handle.
“As time goes by and the chances come, I’ll be ready. When my opportunity arrives, I’ll make my move and hopefully make it permanent.”