South African football will once again come to a standstill when the first Soweto derby of the season takes centre stage, as Kaizer Chiefs host bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at the iconic FNB Stadium in a blockbuster Betway Premiership clash.
This is more than a match — far more than bragging rights are at stake. Pride, momentum, and possibly the direction of the title race itself will be decided over 90 emotionally charged minutes.
To win (90-minutes)
Kaizer Chiefs 47/20
Draw 15/10
Orlando Pirates 15/10
Preview
Separated by only a handful of points on the standings, the Soweto giants arrive with everything to play for. Pirates may still hold a slight advantage on paper, but recent stumbles have opened the door for a resurgent Chiefs side eager to reignite their championship ambitions.
With both clubs chasing their first league crown in over a decade, Saturday’s derby carries the weight of a potential turning point in the season.
For Chiefs, even a draw could deliver a psychological boost in their pursuit of the summit. Conversely, any dropped points for the Buccaneers would hand their rivals renewed hope and tighten the race dramatically.
In truth, defeat is a luxury neither side can afford.
The last time these fierce rivals met, Amakhosi walked away smiling. Their victory over Pirates in last year’s Nedbank Cup final ended a decade-long trophy drought and restored pride to Naturena — a triumph that continues to fuel belief within the Chiefs camp and serves as proof they can conquer their greatest rivals when the stakes are highest.
Yet the Soweto derby has never respected form guides or predictions. League positions often become irrelevant once emotions take over and the roar of tens of thousands inside the famous “Calabash” drowns out logic, turning the contest into a battle decided as much by nerve as by tactics.
Pirates enter unfamiliar territory after back-to-back defeats, a rare wobble following what had largely been an impressive campaign. A loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in a clash billed as a potential title decider was followed by a shock Nedbank Cup exit at the hands of minnows Casric Stars, results that have raised concerns about confidence and momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
Defensively, the Buccaneers have looked unsettled since the departure of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, with vulnerabilities beginning to surface at precisely the wrong time.
READ: Chiefs and Pirates Coaches Warn: No Room for Selfish Stars in Soweto Derby
Chiefs will undoubtedly look to exploit those cracks, and the attacking duo of Mduduzi Shabalala and Glody Lilepo — among Amakhosi’s most dangerous weapons — will relish the opportunity to test a Pirates defence still searching for balance.
But Pirates possess serious attacking threats of their own, players capable of troubling any defence in the Premier Soccer League and beyond.
Led by the electrifying Relebohile Mofokeng and supported by the creative influence of Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, the Buccaneers carry enough attacking quality to turn the contest in an instant.
Beyond the talent on display, the derby also carries significant consequences for both technical teams. Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faces growing scrutiny following recent setbacks, fully aware that a derby victory could quickly restore calm and confidence.
Across the touchline, Chiefs’ interim duo Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef continue their audition for permanence, knowing few results resonate louder with supporters and decision-makers than defeating their fiercest rivals.
Prediction
Orlando Pirates at 15/10
If history has taught Mzansi football anything, it is that the Soweto derby rarely follows logic. Heroes emerge from unlikely places and momentum swings without warning. Will Yanela Mbuthuma announce himself to the Buccaneers faithful with a defining performance, or can Shabalala — still haunted by missed chances against Stellenbosch — rediscover his confidence on the grandest stage?
The answers will arrive only after the final whistle, when another unforgettable chapter in SA football’s greatest rivalry is written.
Kick Off is at 15:30 on Saturday, 28 February.