South Africa is set to come to a complete standstill when the nation’s two most glamorous clubs faceoff in the Soweto derby on Saturday, 5 March 2016.
The two giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are set to square off in the round of 32 of the Nedbank Cup (FA Cup) that involves teams from the country’s premier and lower divisions. This will be the first time the two teams are facing off at this stage of the country’s version of the FA Cup, which sees the overall winner qualifying for the CAF Confederations Cup, where Pirates finished runners up in 2015.
The two giants, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are set to square off in the round of 32 of the Nedbank Cup (FA Cup) that involves teams from the country’s premier and lower divisions. This will be the first time the two teams are facing off at this stage of the country’s version of the FA Cup, which sees the overall winner qualifying for the CAF Confederations Cup, where Pirates finished runners up in 2015.
This highly anticipated derby dates back to 1970 when the two clubs met for the first time in the iconic township of Soweto at the Orlando Stadium, now the home grounds of Pirates.
Forty-six (46) years later, the encounter remains the biggest fixture on the South African football calendar, bringing together more than 94 000 spectators to FNB Stadium while at the same time generating an estimated 106-million television viewers worldwide. The stakes will be just as high this time as both sides will want to win the only cup competition that gives them the prospect of continental glory.
Both teams have uncharacteristically been blowing hot and cold this season with Pirates completely out of the title race in seventh position whilst Chiefs stand a minimal chance, occupying third position with just nine matches to go.
Speaking ahead of the mouth-watering fixture, former Orlando Pirates defender Edward ‘Magents’ Motale, a member of the Buccaneers squad that won the CAF Champions League in 1995, is not at all concerned about his former club’s poor performance in the league, warning that a derby is a different ball game all together.
“Previous results and form do not in any way influence a big match like the derby. Over the years, we have seen both clubs using the derby as a turning point and it would be suicidal for Chiefs to think it will be a walk in the park. Both teams boast amazingly talented players but concentration throughout the match will decide who advances through to the next round,” said Motale.
Both clubs have tasted Nedbank Cup success with Pirates lifting the cup in 2011 and 2014, while Chiefs did so in 2013.
Soweto Derby in Numbers
4 - Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Joseph Setlhodi scored four penalties for AmaKhosi in Soweto Derby matches in 1971 and 1972.
6 – The number of players who have scored for both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Soweto Derbies – Gabriel Khoza, Blessing Mgidi, Jerry Sadike, Donald Khuse, Marks Maponyane and Marc Batchelor.
9 – There have been nine own goals scored in Soweto Derby matches down the years, five by Pirates and four on the part of Chiefs.
10 – The most number of goals scored in a single Soweto Derby. Pirates won 6-4 against Chiefs in their first ever meeting in 1970 and Chiefs then defeated Pirates 7-3 in 1972.
19 – The quickest ever Soweto Derby goal was scored by Mabhuti Khenyeza in Durban in 2007 after just 19 seconds! The game finished 2-2.
19 – Chiefs’ Pule ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe holds the record for the most number of goals scored in Soweto Derbies – 19. It is a mark that will likely never be beaten.
158 – The number of matches played between the two sides before this weekend’s encounter. The last was the league match in January ended in a draw. Chiefs lead the head-to-head 67-37, with a further 54 matches drawn.
375 – The total number of goals scored in competitive Soweto Derby matches. Chiefs have netted 208 of those.
1970 – The year the first Soweto Derby was played. Pirates won 6-4 on January 24!
1996 – The last time a player scored a hat trick in a Soweto Derby. It was Jerry Skhosana in a 4-1 win for Pirates.
Forty-six (46) years later, the encounter remains the biggest fixture on the South African football calendar, bringing together more than 94 000 spectators to FNB Stadium while at the same time generating an estimated 106-million television viewers worldwide. The stakes will be just as high this time as both sides will want to win the only cup competition that gives them the prospect of continental glory.
Both teams have uncharacteristically been blowing hot and cold this season with Pirates completely out of the title race in seventh position whilst Chiefs stand a minimal chance, occupying third position with just nine matches to go.
Speaking ahead of the mouth-watering fixture, former Orlando Pirates defender Edward ‘Magents’ Motale, a member of the Buccaneers squad that won the CAF Champions League in 1995, is not at all concerned about his former club’s poor performance in the league, warning that a derby is a different ball game all together.
“Previous results and form do not in any way influence a big match like the derby. Over the years, we have seen both clubs using the derby as a turning point and it would be suicidal for Chiefs to think it will be a walk in the park. Both teams boast amazingly talented players but concentration throughout the match will decide who advances through to the next round,” said Motale.
Both clubs have tasted Nedbank Cup success with Pirates lifting the cup in 2011 and 2014, while Chiefs did so in 2013.
Soweto Derby in Numbers
4 - Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Joseph Setlhodi scored four penalties for AmaKhosi in Soweto Derby matches in 1971 and 1972.
6 – The number of players who have scored for both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Soweto Derbies – Gabriel Khoza, Blessing Mgidi, Jerry Sadike, Donald Khuse, Marks Maponyane and Marc Batchelor.
9 – There have been nine own goals scored in Soweto Derby matches down the years, five by Pirates and four on the part of Chiefs.
10 – The most number of goals scored in a single Soweto Derby. Pirates won 6-4 against Chiefs in their first ever meeting in 1970 and Chiefs then defeated Pirates 7-3 in 1972.
19 – The quickest ever Soweto Derby goal was scored by Mabhuti Khenyeza in Durban in 2007 after just 19 seconds! The game finished 2-2.
19 – Chiefs’ Pule ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe holds the record for the most number of goals scored in Soweto Derbies – 19. It is a mark that will likely never be beaten.
158 – The number of matches played between the two sides before this weekend’s encounter. The last was the league match in January ended in a draw. Chiefs lead the head-to-head 67-37, with a further 54 matches drawn.
375 – The total number of goals scored in competitive Soweto Derby matches. Chiefs have netted 208 of those.
1970 – The year the first Soweto Derby was played. Pirates won 6-4 on January 24!
1996 – The last time a player scored a hat trick in a Soweto Derby. It was Jerry Skhosana in a 4-1 win for Pirates.
By: Cafonline.com
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