A shooting incident involving Kaizer Chiefs' prominent supporter Justice Skhalazo Mohlala after a local football match has been confirmed and he is recovering in hospital.
Mohlala, who is the chairman of Chiefs' supporters Tembisa branch, was shot in the leg on the weekend after a supporters' football match in Tshwane.
He was travelling with seven of his friends in a minibus taxi when a group of unknown men appeared from nowhere and started demanding their valuables, including cellphones and money while shooting at them in the process.
Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, Mohlala confirmed that he will miss the Soweto derby for the first time in over 20 years with this coming weekend's one as he is still recovering from a gunshot wound in hospital but still made his predictions.
The Good
Soweto derby predictions and Chiefs' season
"Soweto derbies are very unpredictable and you can never judge them on past performances and results. There is a lot at stake when Chiefs play against Pirates and right now, we have a new coach in Cavin Johnson who is expected to prove himself to the supporters. It will be his first derby and looking back most of the previous Chiefs coaches did well in their first derbies. (Arthur) Zwane did well and also Gavin Hunt. Based on that, chances are that Cavin may win this derby. I do believe in Cavin, and I have the utmost trust in our players," said Mohlala.
The Bad
"I was shot as we were making our way back home from playing a supporters' match in Pretoria. It happened this past Sunday. These people appeared from the bush and started attacking us. The incident happened in Olifantsfontein. They took our phones, money and the other things we had in our possession at the time. We usually play games as the football supporters and on the day, we were on our way from one of the games in Pretoria. It was 12 of us in a minibus taxi," he said.
The Ugly
"I am still in pain and in hospital. They shot me in the leg. I am seriously injured but the doctors have promised to do everything to help me get better. The bullet is still in my leg and at this stage we are hoping that it will be removed. I am expecting to get discharged from hospital next week. That means I will miss the Soweto derby this weekend. I am hoping to get back to supporting my team next week. This will be my first derby that I will be missing since 2003. At least for tonight's match I wasn't going to be there anyway as the supporters are not allowed at the stadium," Mohlala added.
'Misbehaviour doesn't solve anything'
On misbehaving fans at stadium
"I would like to plead with the supporters to behave well at the stadiums as hooliganism has no place in our football. Misbehaviour doesn't solve anything and there are proper channels to raise concerns when there are any. We have supporters' regions and there are leaders there and that's where any issues or concerns should be directed. People should stop misbehaving because their actions end up costing all of us. A football stadium is like a second home to some of us and that's where we get to enjoy ourselves and now their misconduct is costing all of us," concluded Mohlala.
What are your score predictions for the Soweto derby?
