Soweto Derby: Five Modern Chiefs vs Pirates classics
The biggest match of the South African football calendar takes centre stage at the weekend as Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs collide at the Calabash.
Set for the FNB Stadium on Saturday at 3.30pm, this meeting of giants will have the entire country at standstill with thousands of permutations already bandied about.
This fixture lives both in the hearts and memories of millions around the country and here Smiso Msomi takes a look at Five of the best Soweto Derbies of recent history.
9 March 2024: Saleng reaches for the stars
Orlando Pirates 3 - 2 Kaizer Chiefs
The latest addition to our list unfolded last year, where a breathtaking performance saw the Buccaneers triumph over The Glamour Boys.
Monnapule Saleng emerged as the star of the show, his brilliance on the pitch translating into a brace which helped the Sea Robbers secure a vital win and continue their resurgence in the fixture with a league double over their rivals.
9 November 2019: ‘Thuggish behaviour,’ says Mokwena
Kaizer Chiefs 3 - 2 Orlando Pirates
This derby is often remembered for its fierce exchanges and controversial moments, aptly summarised by Pirates’ coach Rulani Mokwena’s remarks on the physicality of the match.
“It’s not just (Eric) Mathoho who should have been sent off,” he ranted after the match
“That was real thuggish behaviour. It doesn’t belong on the pitch. It was very, very bad football. And it starts with (Willard ) Katsande’s tackle on Fortune Makaringe in the first half, over the top and (a) career-threatening tackle. It was thuggish as well.“
In an electric atmosphere, Chiefs edged out their rivals, sealing the first of two wins over their rivals that season. An unfamiliar figure in defender Daniel Cardoso found the back of the net twice on the day.
6 May 2023: Nedbank Cup euphoria
Orlando Pirates 2 - 1 Kaizer Chiefs
In front of a sold 94,000 capacity crowd, Pirates claimed a festival-like victory over their bitter rivals with a thrilling win in the elite Cup’s semi-finals.
The match was electric, filled with nail-biting moments but erupted into derby euphoria when Pirates defender Sandile Mthethwa leaped highest in extra-time to put his team into the final sealing a 2-1 result for the Buccaneers.
6 November 2021: Look Away Tyson
Kaizer Chiefs 2 -1 Orlando Pirates
In what was a period of uncertainly for not only football, but the rest of the world, too, supporters were not allowed into the stadium die to Covid-19. Nonetheless, the two rivals provided another pulsating duel, one that ex-Pirates defender Tyson Hlatshwayo will want to forget.
The former Bafana captain made a huge blunder as his attempted back pass found the feet of Khama Billiat when the scores were level.
Chiefs capitalised as Keagan Dolly completed a brace off a Billiat pass to see Amakhosi past their nemesis.
31 October 2020: Pathway to breaking trophy drought
Orlando Pirates 3 - 0 Kaizer Chiefs
In a display of dominance, the Sea Robbers crushed Chiefs in the first of two semi-final legs in the MTN8 thanks to a Thembinkosi Lorch masterclass – a goal and assist – sending shockwaves throughout the football community.
It was a definitive statement from Pirates, illustrating their prowess as they went on to add two more goals in the second leg and emerged as eventual winners of the cup breaking a near decade long trophy drought.