The Soweto derby

Giants of South African football Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs locked horns at the majestic Soccer City Stadium on Saturday afternoon for yet another fiercely contested showdown. THE ILLUSTRIOUS SOWETO DERBY was non like any other; the exhilarating 90 minutes of overwhelming South African flair, skill and “diski” that had all the ingredients needed to completely captivate both the minds and hearts of an entire nation. That fixture represents a rivalry rich in history that started a set of circumstances which arose when a group of players decided to break away from Orlando Pirates in the early 1970s.That decision has forever divided Soweto and in effect formed an immense part of the footballing culture in this county.

More than four decades old, the passion and intensity involved kept evolving, as the display of our inspiring faith and support on the stands for the beautiful game comes to light like nowhere else on this planet. In this season’s derby meeting the stakes could hardly be any higher, at the helm of the log Kazier Chiefs’ stood five points clear after a midweek victory over relegation fighters Chippa United. Hot on their heels where the PSL defending Champions Orlando Pirates, who went into this all important derby match having missed out on a valuable set of points (having been held to a draw by the relentless Bloemfontein Celtic).

History has showed that ‘It’s often that winning the derby makes an entire season for either of the clubs’ former South African International player Marks Maponyane who has had the opportunity of playing for both teams in derby matches.