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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele dismissed Happy Jele's claim that Orlando Pirates are not thinking about winning the league, claiming that he "lied".
The 27-year-old was in a straightforward mood at the Soweto derby press conference that was held at the PSL offices on Wednesday afternoon.
Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele indicated that he wasn’t thinking about the league title, despite his club being in second place.
"We don’t think about winning the league. It’s all about trying to improve our game," said Jele.
"Last season we did not do well‚ finishing in 12th. And we are still a work in progress.
"With the new coaches we have had this season, there has been a lot to work on.”
Jele's claim was at least slightly inaccurate, given that Pirates in fact finished 11th in 2016/17.
However, according to Mphahlele, this was not the only false aspect.
"Happy has just come here and lied to you because how can you be in position No 2 and say that you are not thinking about the league?‚" he said.
"What else are you thinking about when you are in No 2?
"But we are in position three and we are trying to win the league. Let’s not beat about the bush.
"Maybe if Pirates are not trying to win the league, they should bring their MDC team (on Saturday)."
Mphahlele predicted an attacking Pirates performance, but insisted his side will also be in the game to win it.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns captain is not in any mood to do his former employers any favours and jokingly gave Pirates a proposal to ensure that one of the two sides keeps up the pressure on the league leaders.
“Perhaps we can just make a Soweto-deal [with one team saying to the other], ‘You win and then close the gap on Sundowns.’ … But we’ll give it our best,” he said.
Pirates head into the game four points behind the Brazilians, while Chiefs trail their Soweto rivals by one.
Sundowns will be in action against AmaZulu on Friday at the King Zwelithini Stadium (18:00), while the Soweto derby will kick-off at 15:30 on Saturday.
