When is Pirates vs Chiefs? Sooner than you think
The biggest derby in Africa?
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs in the iconic Soweto Derby is an important date in any calendar. Here are the details of the next one.
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs takes centre stage
Pirates have held the upper hand in recent meetings between these great rivals. The Buccaneers have won the last three meetings across all competitions, including each of the last two in the league, most recently that 3-2 success for the Sea Robbers in March 2024 with Monnapule Saleng bagging a double. That stopped a curious and somewhat surprising run of five consecutive wins for Chiefs in Soweto Derby league clashes with the Sea Robbers. These rivals lock horns again on Saturday 01 February at Orlando Stadium with kickoff at 15:30.
Let’s chat about Monnapule Saleng
Saleng struggled to find his best form for the Buccaneers last season after dazzling with 15 goals and 11 assists from 30 appearances across all competitions in 2022-2023. However, he reminded us of his class with a match-winning brace against Chiefs in March 2024. Orlando Pirates boss Jose Riveiro took a big gamble by replacing Karim Kimvuidi with Saleng and it paid off handsomely. Say what you want about a player who’s clearly having some issues off the pitch, but he’s the epitome of the phrase ‘form is temporary, classic is permanent’ and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he shocked us all and make an appearance in this fixture of fixtures.
Mdu Shabalala has a Pirates secret
Mdu, as he is affectionately known, worshipped Thembinkosi Lorch when growing up in an all-Pirates household. With Lorch having moved on to Sundowns, there’s space in the fixture for another star to make a name for himself in South Africa’s premier club fixture.
Shabalala recalls the first Soweto Derby he attended in “about 2019 or 2020 where Chiefs were leading 1-0 and Lorch equalised after a pass from Ben Motshwari”.
Who will win the latest instalment of the famed Soweto Derby? Is Saleng set to make a shock appearance?
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