It’s Soweto derby week. Orlando Pirates will host Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium this Saturday in what remains the biggest game in South African football. For two hours, the majority of the nation’s football lovers will be glued to their screens as the two biggest clubs in the land battle for bragging rights and three valuable points.
For the first time in what feels like forever, the derby holds more significance than just the rivalry itself. For Pirates, victory would keep them on the heels of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns as the title race intensifies.
A win would move the Sea Robbers to within just three points of the reigning champions. In Jose Riveiro’s third season with the club, fans are demanding a stronger league challenge. While back-to-back Cup doubles have been celebrated, Pirates supporters now expect a push for league dominance — and beating Kaizer Chiefs is non-negotiable.
For Chiefs, Saturday’s clash will mark Nasreddine Nabi’s first Soweto derby. The Tunisian tactician has seen his team show flashes of brilliance this season, with victories against the likes of Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune, and Chippa United.
However, inconsistency continues to haunt Amakhosi, as costly losses to Golden Arrows and Cape Town City have highlighted their struggles. Fortunately for Chiefs, derby matches often defy form. The team that wants it more usually emerges victorious, regardless of recent performances.
While the excitement is undeniable, it’s worth asking if the Soweto derby still deserves its status as the biggest game in South African football. It’s no longer the only fixture capable of selling out a stadium.
Moreover, it hasn’t been a decisive factor in the title race for seven years. Earlier this season, Chiefs faced Sundowns at a sold-out FNB Stadium twice. Matches involving Sundowns now carry significant weight in determining where the Betway Premiership trophy will go.
Yet, despite its diminished influence in the title race, the derby remains a spectacle that excites fans, especially with the young talent on display. Relebohile Mofokeng, at just 20 years old, is one of the most exciting and talented players in the country. Fellow 20-year-old Mohau Nkota has also impressed for Pirates this season.
Meanwhile, Chiefs will look to their rising stars Mfundo Vilakazi, Wandile Duba, and Mduduzi Shabalala, who have often carried the team in crucial moments.
Unlike Soweto derbies of the past, Saturday’s sold-out encounter could well be decided by these young stars. While it may no longer define the league, the Soweto derby continues to inspire passion, pride, and unforgettable moments in South African football.
IOL Sport