It’s that time again soon with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fighting tooth and nail for three points and bragging rights. Soweto Derby Day.
Soweto Derby H2H stats
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 01 February at Orlando Stadium.
Saleng couldn’t return, could he?
Mercurial winger Monnapule Monnapule Saleng scored a match-winning brace to help Pirates to a 3-2 win against Kaizer Chiefs in April 2024. The 26-year-old has been mysteriously absent from training and matchday squads in recent weeks, fuelling a media frenzy around what’s happening with the Bafana man. ‘Private’ reasons have been cited by the club. Saleng has only appeared three times in the Betway Premiership this term, with a return of two goals. He hasn’t featured in a competitive match for the club in 2025.
This could be a feeling of déjà vu for Chiefs, however, as Saleng was completely out of the picture in the buildup to the last meeting between these sides. Can lightning strike twice with Saleng coming out of the blue to vanquish the Glamour Boys?
Mduduzi Shabalala is a Chiefs fan for life, now at least
21-year-old Kaizer Chiefs attacker Mduduzi Shabalala revealed he grew up supporting Orlando Pirates but says now he will “die a Chiefs fan”.
The Amakhosi youth development talent is already a part of the furniture at the club. ‘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”.
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Who will win the latest grudge Soweto Derby?
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