Soweto Derby still a winner

A potential meeting in the final of the MTN8 this year has raised the possibility of yet another clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and begs the question of whether we are headed for Soweto Derby fatigue.

It is difficult to see either Chiefs or Pirates giving up their 2-0 first-leg advantages against Platinum Stars and Wits respectively in the second legs of their semifinals this weekend, which would mean a 32nd meeting in a domestic cup final between the Soweto giants since 1970 - and a 153rd overall.

That does not include meetings in pre-season competitions such as the now defunct Charity Spectacular, Vodacom Challenge or more recently the Carling Black Label Cup - matches in the latter two competitions manufactured by the marketers to cash in on the huge popularity of the pair.

The Black Label Cup last month was a sellout at Soccer City, as would the final of the MTN8 be if either of these two contest it.

The games may pull energetic crowds but are seldom entertaining. Neither side has scored more than a single goal in the last seven derby matches and a draw remains the most likely result. Of those seven, five have ended square with a win each for the two sides. But somehow this tepid viewing continues to evoke passion in fans.

"We don't sleep the night before the derby," Chiefs fan Itumeleng Mashele says. "We stay up all night, discussing what is going to happen in the game and what the result is going to be. The tension is already big the day before and nerves keep you on edge.

"We also like to talk about what we are going to do at the stadium, what we are going to sing, maybe come up with some insults for the Pirates fans. All meant in good humour though."

There is no fatigue for Pirates fan Gideon Mocamo either.

"The build-up to the game starts weeks before, everybody is talking about it, the bets have been laid, the talking is done between the fans, so when match day comes, the excitement has reached a new level," he says.

"I get up in the morning and say my prayers and begin to prepare for the game. Everything I wear is Orlando Pirates, my suit, makarapa, flag, shoes, everything.

"If the match kicks off at 3pm I will get to the ground no later than 12 noon and take up position behind the goal."

That sentiment carried through by the paying public at a time when the PSL and Bafana Bafana are struggling to get fans into stadiums. The one match that does not battle, no matter how often it is played , is the Soweto Derby.

Should the pair square off in the final of the MTN8, it would raise the possibility of five competitive Soweto Derby matches this season, to go with the Carling Black Label Cup, if they meet in each of the domestic cup competitions as well.

That would still not come close to 1975's record for a single season, which stands at eight.

The difference then was that those eight games produced 34 goals, more than four per game.