Orlando Pirates will chase a league ‘double’ over Soweto derby rivals Kaizer Chiefs for the first time since 2008/09 when the teams meet in a DStv Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on the afternoon of Saturday 9 March 2024. Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT, live on SuperSport.
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Match background
Orlando Pirates missed out on the chance to go second on the log in midweek when they were held 1-1 at home by Cape Town Spurs. The Buccaneers claimed an early lead via Relebohile Mofokeng, but the Urban Warriors hit back in the second half through Gabriel Michael to secure a share of the spoils.
Pirates are unbeaten across all competitions since the turn of the year, but the draw with Spurs extended a disappointing run in the league which has seen them win just once in their last five matches.
The team in black and white are placed fifth on the Premiership table, with 30 points from 19 matches.
Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, were able to return to winning form when they defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 in midweek, with Wandile Duba’s early strike proving to be the difference between the teams.
The result will come as a relief to the Amakhosi, who have been under major pressure from fans after three successive 0-0 draws since the turn of the year – including a dismal exit from the Nedbank Cup at the hands of lower league Milford FC.
The team in gold and black are placed sixth on the Premiership table, with 29 points from 19 matches.
Previous meetings
In head-to-head stats, Pirates and Chiefs have met in 76 league matches dating back as far as 1985. The Amakhosi have claimed 31 wins compared to 17 for the Buccaneers, while 28 games have been drawn.
When the teams met earlier this season, in November 2023, Pirates claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a 20th minute strike from Evidence Makgopa. The result broke a streak of five successive league wins for Chiefs in this rivalry.
Should the Buccaneers win this clash, it will see them record a league ‘double’ over their rivals for the first time since the 2008/09 season. In that campaign, Pirates won 2-0 away in November 2008 and 2-1 at home in May 2009, with goals from Gilbert Mushangazhike, Lucas Thwala and Katlego Mashego.
What the teams are saying
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro on the need to improve compared to their midweek showing:
“[The 1-1 draw with Spurs was] one of our worst games ever. Difficult to swallow, difficult to understand,” said the Spanish tactician. He went on to add: “It’s not easy, I’m not saying it’s easy, but we need to try, we need to be more brave, we need to more dynamic, much more active and not speculate with the result because it’s not the first time that this happened to us and it seems that we didn’t learn so much from the last time.”
Kaizer Chiefs youngster Wandile Duba on the prospect of his first Soweto derby:
“They [Pirates] should be ready for me. I’m coming,” he warned, before adding: “I’ve been working very hard, since from the mini pre-season [Afcon recess]. I’ve been working hard to try and get into the starting line-up. Coming to this game, they did tell me that if I believe in myself I will score a goal because I’ve been working since from training. I watched the Manchester derby, Phil Foden came in and scored a goal [similar to Duba’s against Arrows]. Just put it in the corner, he [the goalkeeper] will never reach it.”
Players to watch
Orlando Pirates
Thalente Mbatha – The 24-year-old put in a Man of the Match performance in midweek against Cape Town Spurs, providing the assist for Relebohile Mofokeng’s goal, and he will look for further creative impact against Chiefs on Saturday.
Tapelo Xoki – The Pirates centre-back is a key figure in the team, bringing experience and resilience to the defence, and he will be keen to lay a solid foundation for his team to try and win the Soweto derby.
Kaizer Chiefs
Wandile Duba – A fine strike in midweek against Golden Arrows (his first senior club goal) means Duba will be full of confidence heading into the Soweto derby. The youngster has impressed with his energy and enthusiasm, and will hope to shrug off an injury worry to play against Pirates.
Bruce Bvuma – The Chiefs ‘keeper has been in solid form of late and pulled off several fine saves to keep a clean sheet (a fourth in succession) in midweek against Arrows. He will be the first name on the Amakhosi’s team sheet and determined to keep his run of shutouts going.
Head-to-head details
Last 10 league results
Season Result Scorers
- 2018/19 Chiefs 1-1 Pirates Cardoso (pen); Lorch
- 2019/20 Chiefs 3-2 Pirates Nyauza (og), Castro, Cardoso (pen); Pule, Mhango
- 2019/20 Pirates 0-1 Chiefs Manyama
- 2020/21 Pirates 2-1 Chiefs Lorch, Ndlovu; Cardoso
- 2020/21 Chiefs 1-0 Pirates Nurkovic
- 2021/22 Chiefs 2-1 Pirates Dolly 2 (1 pen); Mntambo
- 2021/22 Pirates 1-2 Chiefs Peprah; Frosler, Mathoho
- 2022/23 Pirates 0-1 Chiefs Maart
- 2022/23 Chiefs 1-0 Pirates Ndah (og)
- 2023/24 Chiefs 0-1 Pirates Makgopa
LEAGUE RECORD (since 1985)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 39 10 15 14 38 42
Chiefs 37 17 13 7 44 31
Away
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 37 7 13 17 31 44
Chiefs 39 14 15 10 42 38
Total
P W D L GF GA
Pirates 76 17 28 31 69 86
Chiefs 76 31 28 17 86 69