Friday | March 9, 2024

The time-honoured Soweto derby pivots the center stage in domestic football yet again. Besides the tamed successes in recent memory, it continues to captivate large audiences who follow the beautiful game at home and beyond. At stake this autumn afternoon are the usual sought-after three precious league points.

Saturday | March 9, 2024

The chirps for the unbridled anticipation yielded by years  of fierce contest between Kaizer Chiefs Football Club (FC) and Orlando Pirates FC are whirling around.

They will saunter and swagger the FNB Stadium, the colossal football arena that hosted FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) 2010 World Cup, in Johannesburg at 15h30 this afternoon.

Their last meeting in the first-leg of this 2023/2024 league season culminated in a 1-0 win to Pirates on Nov. 11, 2023. It was a Chiefs home game. Evidence Makgopa’s first-half goal secured the all-important three points for them.

For a record, Amakhosi [Chiefs] boast more league wins by far against their arch nemesis. But today, they are hosted by the Buccaneers [Pirates].

Still busking in the mid-week win over Moroka Swallows FC, Chiefs will hope to carry that momentum – however minuscule – into today’s tricky clash.

Meanwhile the same can not be said about the Buccaneers who threw away a win at home to Cape Town Spurs FC in the dying minutes of the league game on Tuesday.

Mind games

As a result of the eventual 1-1 stalemate, Pirates coach Jose Riveiro speaking on Talk Radio 702 warned against complacency going into the Soweto derby.

Coming to today’s big encounter, the need for the maximum points has never been higher than this. The Buccaneers are 5th on the standings and Amakhosi are sniffing down their necks on the 6th place.

Both Soweto giants are in search of the three points in the offing. They need to improve their positions on the log.

According to the Premier Soccer Leagues (PSL) X account [@officialPSL], Buccaneers’ coach Riveiro aims to “silence the noise” against Kaizer Chiefs and “do what we do better, play football”.

A victory for Pirates will catapult them to 2nd without considering changes in other league matches while a loss will see them drop a notch.

Chiefs have been caught napping in cup games but their league performance is not that terrible. So a win will augur well for them; they will surely move up the table to 2nd position, if all the weekend games are held constant.

A loss does not affect their position directly except if Sekhukhune United FC pull up a win away to Swallows this evening.

A loss is unfathomable. It will send every fan into a panic mode. Not least on seeing them drop valuable points at this stage but also the feel-good effect that comes with claiming the Soweto bragging rights.

Amakhosi coach Cavin Johnson assured the fans that his charges have “prepared well for this derby”, said @officialPSL. Further, he stated that the players are going to relish the challenge.

Again, Johnson promised fans an enjoyable affair against Pirates: “We have to go out there and give our people joy”, it added.

Derby losing sting

After all is said and done, this traditional rivalry must produce the results in the end.

Years after years the derby has attracted throngs of spectators far and wide. However, its footballing prowess in the field where it matters most is fading into oblivion.

The league games between Chiefs and Pirates had a huge influence on who won the title at the end of each season. That is no longer the case anymore.

Even so, the fascination of the Soweto derby still hovers in the air. Indeed, much of it is due to its historic footprints in local circles.

Today, is no different notwithstanding the fact that it is inconsequential in the Premiership race.

Saturday, Mar. 9 DStv Premiership Fixtures:

Stellenbosch FC vs Cape Town Spurs at Danie Craven Stadium (Stellenbosch) – 17h30

Moroka Swallows FC vs Sekhukhune United FC at Dobsonville Stadium (Soweto, Johannesburg) – 17h30

SuperSport United FC vs AmaZulu FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane)- 17h30 

Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Chippa United at Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium (Atteridgeville) – 20h00

Richards Bay FC vs TS Galaxy FC at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium (Durban)

Sunday,  Mar. 10 DStv Premiership Fixtures:

Polokwane City FC vs Golden Arrows FC at Old-Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane) – 15h30

Royal AM vs Cape Town City FC at Harry Gwala Stadium (Pietermaritzburg) – 17h30