The Soweto Derby is always a big occasion, no matter where Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates find themselves on the DStv Premiership table.
It is a fixture filled with tension and drama, and over the past 15 years there have been some classic clashes between the sides. We look back at 10 of the best since 2008.
Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Katlego Mashego 2)
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 1 (Lucas Thwala og)
2 May, 2009, Ellis Park
It does not take long for the action to hot up as Chiefs defender Dominic Isaacs hits a shallow back pass that is intercepted by Thulasizwe Mbuyane but with just ‘keeper Itumeleng Khune to beat, the Pirates striker misses. Pirates continue to dominate and Khune is the only thing between them and a comfortable lead at the break with Katlego Mashego denied twice by the goalkeeper. Modise keeps up his tradition of hitting the woodwork in the derby encounter as he rifles a free-kick against the post but suddenly Chiefs look like they have come to play as Jose Torrealba goes just wide with a half-volley. The deadlock is broken in the 71st minute when Mashego steers home Modise’s cross with a slight touch. But there is a lucky equaliser for Chiefs just seven minutes later as Destin Makita clears the ball against fellow defender Lucas Thwala and it ricochets into the net. The winner comes with five minutes left as Siphehle Mthembu’s effort rebounds off Khune and Mashego tucks away the loose ball.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Ezenwa Otorogu)
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Daine Klate own goal, Knowledge Musona 2)
13 November, 2010, Soccer City
Knowledge Musona, who would go on to finish as the league’s leading goalscorer, proved the decisive force in this league encounter, creating the first goal and scoring the next two. It was a convincing display from Chiefs against the side who would go on to be crowned champions. An own goal via Daine Klate’s panicky clearance off Musona’s cross has Chiefs ahead after seven minutes and in complete control. Their second came when Pirates’ skipper Lucky Lekgwathi tripped Musona in the box and the Zimbabwe international got off the deck to convert the resultant spot-kick. A horror error then made it 3-0 on the hour mark as Rooi Mahamutsa’s headed back pass was stolen by Musona for an easy finish around the goalkeeper. Pirates got their consolation goal 13 minutes from time through Nigerian import Ezenwa Otorogu.
Orlando Pirates (3) 3 (Benni McCarthy 2, Andile Jali)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lehlohonolo Majoro)
17 March, 2012, Soccer City
A blitz in the opening 24 minutes from Pirates looked to have sewn up the result but the champions ended up having to hold on to desperately for a vital three points in their bid to defend their league title. Benni McCarthy described the match as the best of a career that included a Uefa Champions League final and league matches in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and England. “I think the game was the greatest atmosphere and biggest match I have ever played in,” he claimed. McCarthy – a confirmed Chiefs fan growing up – opened the scoring after he profited from a mistake by Keagan Ritchie to blast the ball home. Andile Jali had a simple tap-in to make it 2-0 after Tlou Segolela’s chipped pass, before McCarthy scored his brace after being teed-up again by Segolela. That looked like game-over, but Siphiwe Tshabalala reduced the deficit with a fine goal from the edge of the area and Lehlohonolo Majoro set up a thrilling final 20 minutes when he converted from Bernard Parker’s corner.
Orlando Pirates 0
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Siphiwe Tshabalala, Siphlehle Mthembu)
6 December, 2014, Soccer City
Tshabalala got his fourth derby goal and Mthembu a first for the club, several months after his signing from Platinum Stars, in a win for the title-bound Chiefs, who stayed unbeaten in the league and opened up a 14-point gap at the head of the standings. Tshabalala put in a man of the match performance and opened the scoring six minutes into the second half. Mthembu converted a cross from fellow substitute George Lebese in stoppage time at the end of the game as Chiefs won convincingly against a Pirates side who had fired coach Vladimir Vermezovic just days earlier and had Eric Tinkler on the bench. In the first half there were chances for Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha and a shot into the side netting from Pirates’ midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo. Tshabalala’s goal was a cracking shot from Parker’s cross. Reneilwe Letsholonyane then just had the goalkeeper to beat to make it 2-0 in the 65th minute, but he hit the crossbar instead. Pirates came alive near the end in a gallant bid to get back into the game but Mthembu made sure of a 2-0 scoreline.
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Thamsanqa Gabuza)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Willard Katsande)
30 January, 2016, Soccer City
This draw proved a lot more even than other past stalemates with both clubs having a claim to success. Willard Katsande, hardly ever on the score sheet, claimed a second derby goal to put Chiefs ahead after 28 minutes with Thamsanqa Gabuza’s equaliser coming just before the final 20 minutes. Going into the game, both sides had been off form with their respective coaches under pressure, but both Steve Komphela and Eric Tinkler would have got something out of the game. Chiefs, who were unbeaten away in the league, were better before the break and Pirates after. Bucs did have the ball in the net but Thabo Qalinge was booked by referee Philip Tinyani for taking the free-kick before the whistle. Katsande then scored at the other end as Tshabalala’s corner was headed down to him by Mathoho for a right footed finish. Gabuza equalised from Ayanda Gcaba’s long throw and Chiefs goalkeeper Khune then went off with cramp, replaced by Reyaad Pieterse.
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Joseph Molongoane)
Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Tsepo Masilela own goal)
4 March, 2017, Soccer City
Katsande had his late penalty stopped to deny Chiefs a first derby success under coach Komphela after Joseph Molangoane had given them a 16th minute lead before Khune deflected Thembinkosi Lorch's attempted shot into his own net in the 33rd. Pirates, with new coach Kjell Jonevret from Sweden in charge as they attempted to end a run of 10 winless matches in all competitions, had Chiefs with their backs to the wall early on but missed chances. Khune denied Dove Wome with a stop, before parrying Gabuza’s volley back into play. Tshabalala and Parker caught Pirates on the counter attack after Wome had given the ball away to set up the first goal. Parker unselfishly played the ball across to Molangoane, who netted with an easy tap in from close range. The former Bucs winger had another chance to make it 2-0 moments later but Brighton Mhlongo saved. Chiefs would later pay the price for not kicking their rivals while they were down. Lorch volleyed at the Khune's near post via a Tsepo Masilela deflection. It was later credited as an own goal. Then, near the end, Chiefs were awarded a spot kick when Gcaba was adjudged to have handled Molangoane’s attempted cross inside the box. Referee Kulusande Qonqo hesitated for a few seconds before awarding a penalty to Chiefs. However, Katsande shot straight at Mhlongo, who used his long legs to make a fine stop.
Orlando Pirates (1) 3 (Thembinkosi Lorch, Luvuyo Memela 2)
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Leonardo Castro)
3 March, 2018, Soccer City
Pirates set a new record for themselves in the derby with a ninth successive unbeaten match against Chiefs, whose coach Komphela went through an eighth derby without success – not counting a penalty shootout triumph two seasons earlier. Leonardo Castro became the first Latin American to score a derby goal but it was a sideshow to a fine Pirates victory with a fairy tale performance by Luvuyo Memela, who came on at halftime and score immediately with his first touch. That made it 2-1 and Memela went on to hammer a nail into Chiefs’ coffin with the third of the game. Pirates struck first blood when Katsande’s clearance fell to Lorch just outside the area, the Pirates winger ghosting his way in and squeezing a low angled shot in at the far post on 20 minutes. But the lead was only to last seven minutes as AmaKhosi hit back with a goal from Castro, the Colombian expertly glancing in a header from a Tshabalala free kick. Musa Nyatama set up the second goal with a pass for Memela who showed good composure as he slotted past Khune. Memela wrapped up the contest in the 73rd minute as he calmly put the ball past Khune for the second time.
Kaizer Chiefs (1) (Leonardo Castro)
Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Thembinkosi Lorch, Justin Shonga)
24 November, 2018, Moses Mabhida Stadium
A new record for the longest winless run in the derby was set as the two met in the Telkom Knockout semifinal. Pirates had previously twice gone 10 games without success in the derby but 11 matches marked new territory in the almost 50-year-old rivalry. Chiefs’ coach Giovanni Solinas had promised that his side would be much better than the league meeting one month earlier where they were largely outplayed but it was Pirates who went ahead first. Lorch gave Khune no chance as he hammered home Vincent Pule’s cross after 13 minutes. But the lead lasted only five minutes before Chiefs’ pressure paid off as Castro pounced onto Billiat’s defence-splitting pass to chip over advancing Pirates’ goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane. The winning goal came six minutes from time when Chiefs could not clear a blocked shot. When the ball was chipped back in, Justin Shonga was given time to mis-kick his first effort, get up and turn the ball home at the second attempt. The game proved value for money for the capacity crowd in Durban.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 2 (Leonardo Castro, Daniel Cardoso pen)
Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Fortune Makaringe, Frank Mhango)
After extra time. Chiefs won 4-2 on pens
2 November, 2019, Moses Mabhida Stadium
This Telkom Knockout tie went all the way to penalties as Pirates finished down to 10 men after the dismissal of Mthokozisi Dube. Ernst Middendorp's Chiefs found the back of the net in 21st minute through Samir Nurkovic's header from Khama Billiat's cross, but the celebrations were short lived as the Serbian striker, featuring in his first derby, was flagged offside. Lorch appeared to stamp on Billiat after initially fouling him, but he was only awarded a yellow card as tempers flared up. Then Lorch turned provider to unselfishly tee up Fortune Makaringe, who slotted into the bottom corner. Dube received a second yellow card for a foul on Billiat and went off for an early shower just seven minutes into the second half. Chiefs took advantage to equalise in the 62nd minute thanks to a low drive from Leonardo Castro that found the bottom corner after Billiat's initial effort came back off the post. Sandilands saved Billiat’s freekick to take the game into extra time where Chiefs then took the lead, in the 95th minute, after Abel Mabaso blocked Mulomowandau Mathoho's shot with his arm. Daniel Cardoso scored from the spot for a second successive derby. However, Pirates hit back in the tenth minute of extra-time through substitute Gabadinho Mhango, who was setup by Lorch. In the shootout, both sides converted their first two kicks but then Ben Motshwari and Mabaso both had kicks saved by Daniel Akpeyi, while Lebogang Manyama and Parker finished off the business for AmaKhosi.
Kaizer Chiefs (2) 3 (Ntsikelelo Nyauza og Leonardo Castro, Daniel Cardoso)
Orlando Pirates (1) 2 (Vincent Pule, Gabadinho Mhango)
9 November, 2019, Soccer City
After 13 derbies without success, Chiefs finally won with a late penalty from Cardoso, converting a spot kick for a third derby in a row. It was as dramatic a finish to the game as had been the start when Pirates defender Nyauza turned the ball into his own net inside 40 seconds. With Castro putting pressure on the defender, he headed back to Sandilands, only to find the veteran goalkeeper had come well off his line and the ball sailed over and into an empty net. The unsteady start was an effect of the absence of suspended captain Happy Jele. Chiefs were lucky to see their captain Katsande escape with a yellow card thereafter for a knee high, studs-up challenge on Makaringe but used their fortune to good effect to go 2-0 up after 28 minutes when Castro climbed above the defence to head home from a corner. Pirates pulled one back with a whipping effort from a tight angle by Pule that went straight through the bemused hands of goalkeeper Akpeyi, caught at the near post. Paseka Mako’s run down the left wing early in the second half provided a cross for Lorch but his header struck the upright and bounced away. The woodwork saved Chiefs again in the 58th minute when Lorch’s searching pass set up Pule but he hit the crossbar. It was 2-2 on the hour mark, however, as Mhango teased the defence, took the ball from one foot ton the other and rifled home a superb strike. Chiefs won a penalty five minutes from time when Parker was brought down and Cardoso kept up his streak to deliver the three points and end the record-breaking winless run.