Reeve Frosler desperately misses the cacophonic atmosphere fans at a full-house Soweto Derby would generate, though he sheepishly admits the jangling nerves are slightly less when facing opponents in an empty stadium.

“It’s exciting. There’s a little bit of nerves here and there, I don’t think as many nerves without the fans, unfortunately. Hopefully, I get a game and get a chance to do what I do best, but mostly there is excitement and eagerness,” Frosler says ahead of the Soweto Derby this weekend.

The Amakhosi defender is calm and relaxed ahead of Kaizer Chiefs 175^th clash with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium this Saturday at 15h30 in the DStv Premiership, as Chiefs go in search of a season league double over Pirates.

He is adamant, though, that team performance will be crucial in this crunch encounter.

“What makes a difference is if you do well as a team. If you do well as a team rather than as individuals, we also do well,” says Frosler.

As he gets ready to feature in another derby Frosler still enjoys this historical clash and admonishes any assertions that the Derby has lost its spark.

Frosler has featured in five league games for Chiefs against Pirates, which has seen Chiefs win four of those, and he knows Pirates all too well.

“We have watched a lot of Pirates and we know what they want to do and try and do. We know more or less what to expect from them. We have played them for many years. I watched their recent games in the CAF Confederations Cup and league and we have done our homework and we will go out there and come out with the best result,” says a determined Frosler.

Frosler has downplayed critics’ voices, who say that the game does not have its usual hype.

“’ The only reason people are saying the Derby is watered down is because there are no fans. People would not be saying that if there were fans. Because once you see and experience the atmosphere and the game, you will have a different perspective,” says Frosler.

With his mind totally on the Derby, Frosler has been doing a lot of self-analysis ahead of the big game.

“I had a look at the Baroka game as well as my individual moments in the game and where I can get better. While I do look at what I can do better I also look at what I have done well in the game and continue to do it better,” Frosler said of his review of the 1-0 win against Baroka.

And he has already put his analysis into action.

“I have implemented in training what I saw in the clips and have done so in the sessions leading up to the game in order to be well prepared for the game,” says Frosler.

While he has done all his preparation for the game, he also let on as to what he and his teammates do ahead of a big derby.

“We like to break away from football and talk to the guys about their family, things that are not related to football. This helps us build a bond with the guys. To relax is very important,” says Frosler.

While he does not have any pre-Derby rituals he does have a few personal traditions.

”The night before the Derby I sleep early before the game and I am just relaxing. I will call my dad at some point, just to hear how he’s doing and get some input from him and encouragement,” says Frosler.