Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder and football analyst Junior Khanye believes Amakhosi’s convincing 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy has eased the pressure on head coach Nasreddine Nabi, but insists that Saturday’s highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates will provide a much tougher examination of the team’s progress.

The emphatic victory offers Chiefs a welcome boost after facing scrutiny over their performances and consistency. However, Khanye believes the result alone should not be enough to convince supporters that the club has turned a corner.

According to the outspoken analyst, the victory could help restore confidence in the coach, giving him some breathing room as he attempts to establish a competitive and consistent team.

“Kaizer Chiefs winning 3-0 is a pressure relief for the coach. People will start believing in him, but the REAL test is on Saturday in the Soweto Derby,” Khanye said.

His assessment places the spotlight firmly on the upcoming showdown against their bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates, in one of South African football’s biggest fixtures.

The Soweto Derby is more than an ordinary league encounter, with both clubs carrying enormous expectations from their passionate supporters. For Chiefs, a positive result would strengthen belief in the team’s direction and provide further evidence that they are making progress.

However, Khanye remains unconvinced that Amakhosi can compete with Pirates on equal terms, suggesting that the gap between the two sides could become apparent when they meet on the pitch.

“They cannot match Pirates pound for pound. Well done for beating TS Galaxy, but they never came to the party,” he added.

His comments suggest that, while the three-goal victory deserves recognition, the performance must be judged in the context of the opposition. Khanye believes the Soweto Derby will demand a different level of intensity, tactical discipline and individual quality from Chiefs.

For the Amakhosi faithful, Saturday presents an opportunity to discover whether the victory over TS Galaxy represents genuine progress or merely a temporary lift in confidence.

Pirates, meanwhile, will be determined to assert their superiority and deliver a performance that reinforces their status as fierce rivals.

With pride, bragging rights and crucial momentum at stake, the upcoming derby could prove decisive in shaping perceptions of Chiefs and their coach.

Ultimately, the message from Khanye is clear: beating TS Galaxy was encouraging, but Chiefs must prove themselves against Orlando Pirates when the pressure is at its highest.

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