Winless in 12 games, Kaizer Chiefs desperate for a lucky 13 against Pirates

01 November 2019 - 13:26
By Nick Said
Dumisani Zuma and Mario Booysen of Kaizer Chiefs slump to the ground at full time after Orlando Pirates win the Soweto derby 2-1 in October 2017.
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Dumisani Zuma and Mario Booysen of Kaizer Chiefs slump to the ground at full time after Orlando Pirates win the Soweto derby 2-1 in October 2017.

Kaizer Chiefs will hope that their upturn in fortunes and the decline of Orlando Pirates this season will help them to overcome a most unwanted record — the longest winless run in Soweto Derby history.

The teams will clash in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday with Chiefs winless in their past 12 matches against their great rivals, a run dating back almost five years.

It is already a damning statistic for Amakhosi fans, but they will hope to make it lucky 13 with a win, especially given the relative form of the sides this season.

TimesLIVE takes a quick glance at the past 12 Soweto Derby matches that have seen nothing in the win column for the Naturena club:

Kaizer Chiefs 0 Orlando Pirates 0 (March 7 2015)

A dull league clash at FNB Stadium that ended goalless with chances few and far between.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 Orlando Pirates 3 (October 31 2015)

A strong second-half performance from Pirates saw them race clear in this league clash as Ayanda Gcaba and Thamsanqa Gabuza followed up an opener from Issa Sarr. Erick Mathoho had equalised for Chiefs before half time.

Kaizer Chiefs 0 Orlando Pirates 0 (November 7 2015)

A Telkom Knockout semifinal that finished goalless, though this one had a bit more life to it. When it went to extra time both teams settled for spot kicks and though Chiefs triumphed 6-5, this result goes into the history books as a draw. Chiefs lost the final 3-1 to Sundowns.

Orlando Pirates 1 Kaizer Chiefs 1 (January 30 2016)

Willard Katsande put Chiefs ahead with a rare Soweto Derby goal, but Gabuza equalised in the second period of this league clash.

Orlando Pirates 2 Kaizer Chiefs 0 (March 5 2016)

The Soweto giants were paired together in the last-32 of the Nedbank Cup and two goals in the final 13 minutes from Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro settled this contest. Pirates were good value for their win.

Orlando Pirates 0 Kaizer Chiefs 0 (October 29 2016)

This match was played in front of a not-quite capacity FNB Stadium as the Chiefs faithful in particular grew wary of their side’s underachievement. Not much to write home about in this stale draw.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 Orlando Pirates 1 (March 4 2017)

Chiefs started the brighter in this game and had a deserved lead through Joseph Malongoane, but an own goal from Tsepo Masilela meant Pirates picked up a point.

Kaizer Chiefs 0 Orlando Pirates 0 (October 21 2017)

Both teams cancelled each other out in a contest that perhaps deserved a goal, as they took the game to each other in this league game at the start of the 2017-18 season.

Orlando Pirates 3 Kaizer Chiefs 1 (March 3 2018)

A brace from Luvuyo Memela sealed the points for Pirates after Thembinkosi Lorch had put them ahead. Leonardo Castro equalised for Chiefs, but Pirates were much too strong on the day.

Orlando Pirates 2 Kaizer Chiefs 1 (October 27 2018)

Chiefs led early through Khama Billiat, but Pirates were in front before half time as two goals in three minutes turned the game on its head. Innocent Maela equalised before Vincent Pule got what proved the winner.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 Orlando Pirates 2 (November 24 2018)

Lorch had Pirates ahead early on in this Telkom Knockout semifinal but Castro equalised for Chiefs. It looked as though the game would head for extra time before Justin Shonga pounced to score the winner.

Kaizer Chiefs 1 Orlando Pirates 1 (February 9 2019)

The last meeting between the sides was a league clash in February as Daniel Cardoso put Chiefs in front from the penalty spot. Lorch equalised with 10 minutes to go though, to ensure the points were shared.