The Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs has traditionally been a ‘country for old men’ with youngsters very seldom thrown into the mix by coaches over the past 15 seasons.
There have been exceptions though and players with little experience who have gone on to light up the biggest game in South African football.
Here are 10 names who made a memorable impact on the fixture as a young player.
REEVE FROSLER (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Frosler has been a thorn in Pirates’ side in a number of Soweto Derby matches, having made his debut in this fixture as a 21-year-old following his move from BidVest Wits to Chiefs in 2019. He played a major hand in helping Chiefs win the first two derbies he took part in, and then proved a match winner himself with a goal in a 2-1 success in the 2021/22 season. He has played in eight derbies in all, winning six of them.
ANDILE JALI (ORLANDO PIRATES)
Jali was a brash 19-year-old when he played in his first Soweto Derby game in October 2009, a goalless draw in the league. His skill and powerful displays in midfield were perfect for this type of occasion, as he is a hugely competitive player who hates to lose any game, let alone one to a fierce rival. He scored in one of the greatest Derby games of recent times as Pirates edged Chiefs 3-2 in 2012, and in his four-and-a-half seasons with The Buccaneers, had three wins and three losses in 13 games against Chiefs.
HAPPY JELE (ORLANDO PIRATES)
Jele had to wait a few years to taste success over Chiefs but one thing is for sure, the centre-back gave his all every second he was on the pitch, including on his Derby debut as a 21-year-old in 2008. He claimed a first win by helping Pirates to the 2010 MTN8 final as they beat Chiefs 1-0 in the second leg of their semifinal. In all, he made 29 Derby appearances, winning nine and losing seven to go with 13 draws.
ITUMELENG KHUNE (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Khune had only just turned 20 years old when he made his Soweto Derby debut in 2007, featuring in a 2-2 draw that was a hugely entertaining encounter and an excellent way for him to sample South Africa’s biggest show. In a long career that has at times been blighted by injury, he has gone on to make 27 Derby appearances, and has been back in the starting line-up at Naturena this season, so could yet add to that tally.
ZAKHELE LEPASA (ORLANDO PIRATES)
Lepasa had already hurt Chiefs in the colours of TS Galaxy when he scored on his Soweto Derby debut at the age of 23, having beaten the AmaKhosi in the Nedbank Cup while on loan at the second-tier side in 2019. He netted the first goal for Chiefs in a comprehensive 3-0 MTN8 semifinal, first leg win for Pirates as they romped through to the final and lifted the trophy. He has found the going tough since and is currently on loan at SuperSport United.
THEMBINKOSI LORCH (ORLANDO PIRATES)
Lorch was perhaps not quite a youngster when he made his Pirates debut at the age of 24 but has had such an impact in the Derby that he deserves a mention. His bow in the fixture was a 1-1 draw in March 2017. He has won five and drawn four of his 12 Derby games since then, scoring five goals in the process. No-one has more goals for Pirates against Chiefs over the same period, and that strike-rate also goes with a number of assists.
OUPA MANYISA (ORLANDO PIRATES)
Manyisa was 22 when he made his Derby debut as Chiefs defeated his Pirates side 3-0 in the final of the Telkom Knockout in 2010. He would get some revenge the following year as he scored the only goal in the 2011 MTN8 final when The Buccaneers saw off their old rivals. After that, he was a regular in the team – injuries aside – and had many Derby highs and lows before leaving for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2017.
PUNCH MASENAMELA (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Masenamela spent the first three years of his career at Chiefs and the fullback made his Derby debut aged 23 in February 2010 as the teams played to a goalless draw. He played seven Derby games in all, losing only once, which included that thumping win in the 2010 Telkom Knockout decider. He then left for Sundowns.
KNOWLEDGE MUSONA (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Zimbabwe striker Musona had only just turned 19 when he played in his first Derby game in October 2009, though he found Pirates a tough opponent as all three clashes that season ended 0-0. It was the following year that he hit his straps, scoring three times against The Buccaneers as he became their chief destroyer. He left for German side Hoffenheim after that, but when he returned to Chiefs on loan in 2013/14, he played Pirates three more times. In all he only lost two of his 11 Derby games.
SIYABONGA NGEZANA (KAIZER CHIEFS)
Defender Ngezana was 20 when he made his Derby bow in October 2017 and after initially struggling to get a win against Pirates, finally managed it at the seventh attempt in March 2021. That was also the last time he played in the fixture, but he is back in the starting line-up at Naturena could be a key man against The Buccaneers this time round.