Middendorp questions Henry’s silence on Soweto Derby football

Ernst Middendorp has questioned why Thierry Henry offered no assessment of the football after attending the Soweto Derby as a special guest of Betway.

The French legend was invited to the match by the league’s flagship sponsors, who made extensive efforts to ensure he was present for one of South Africa’s biggest sporting occasions.

Orlando Pirates claimed a 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs, earning local bragging rights and extending their spectacular unbeaten run in the league. However, Henry’s comments after the match focused on the scale and atmosphere of the event rather than the action on the pitch.

Middendorp, who has coached several teams in the Premier Soccer League, said he would have welcomed Henry’s view on the contest itself.

“I went to the derby to see it live. Great assessment of the event by Thierry Henry, but what did he say about the soccer that was played on the day?” Middendorp told KickOff.

“It would have been good to hear something from Thierry Henry, but I haven’t found any quote by him saying even one word about the match itself.

“I haven’t heard anything!

“Everywhere I look, he talks about the event, he talks about the organisation, he talks about the 90 000 people, he talks about the fantastic atmosphere, but what about the game? How does the quality of the game compare to the international standard?

“He left all that out totally,” he added.

Henry’s observations did not address why Fernando da Cruz’s side had been unable to make the most of its strong first-half momentum. Nor did they examine Tshepang Moremi’s match-winning goal, which helped Orlando Pirates secure victory.

Instead, the former striker concentrated on the cultural significance of the fixture and the spectacle created inside the stadium.

The Soweto Derby is regarded as the most eagerly anticipated match on the local football calendar. The demand surrounding last weekend’s meeting underlined that status, with tickets selling out within six hours.

Middendorp’s comments therefore centre on the contrast between Henry’s praise for the occasion and the absence of any public analysis of the football itself. While the size of the crowd, the organisation and the atmosphere were all highlighted, he said the quality of the match and its comparison with international standards had not been discussed.