South coast derby hero Lomana LuaLua has said the current Portsmouth team have "got to give everything" in Sunday's game against Southampton.
Former Portsmouth forward and south coast derby hero Lomana LuaLua has said that the current Pompey team have "got to give everything" in Sunday's game against Southampton.
LuaLua made 91 appearances during his time at the Blues, scoring 19 goals and is best known by some for his contribution during a 4-1 beating of Saints in 2005 when he won a penalty and scored two goals in less than half an hour.
This Sunday is the second instalment of the rivalry in 2025-26 after a competitive but underwhelming goalless draw at St Mary's in September.
"They should know the importance of that game and not only that, they should know that it's a derby, we can't lose that game," LuaLua told BBC Radio Solent.
"First of all they're supposed to know what it's like to wear that jersey for Portsmouth because Portsmouth is a family and historical place.
"They should also know how much this game means to the fans so all I'll say to them that you're playing for the badge and you got to win that game and you've got to give everything."
Fratton Park was electric on that day in April 2005 as Harry Redknapp returned to Portsmouth for the first time since leaving to manage their bitter Hampshire rivals having previously said there was "no chance" of him doing so.
The victory helped Portsmouth secure their status as a Premier League side and pushed Southampton down to the bottom of the table, before they were relegated the following month.
LuaLua admitted that the intensity amongst the players in the pre-match build-up was so high, that he pushed his body through an injury to make sure he could play.
After 26 minutes, Portsmouth were 4-1 up inside a euphoric Fratton Park, the striker managed to worsen his injury while doing a back-flip in a goal celebration.
LuaLua left the field following two goals and winning a spot-kick that Yakubu Ayegbeni slotted home.
"I don't know why Harry left but for us we saw him as a traitor, especially me because he was like a father for us," he added.
"Then just out of the blue the man's gone and then suddenly, nothing, no calls, anything just and then he came back with 'them'.
"I felt a bit let down and disrespected by him so for me I took it to another level, I was even injured but I wanted to play."
Portsmouth and Southampton have played each other just 11 times since 2000 and with sizeable gaps between each derby, it enhances the intensity and sense of occasion when they do eventually meet.
LuaLua admitted that his first experiences of the distaste between them came from speaking to fans in and around the city, and before Redknapp's return in 2005 it was impossible to miss.
"That week it was like everywhere that you go in town everybody's just talking about the game," LuaLua added.
"They would say 'come on Lua, we need to win this game, we can be relegated it doesn't matter, but we cannot lose this game.'"
Category: General Sports
