Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi says the Soweto derby remains a popular sporting event where people want to be seen but mostly don’t care much about what happens on the field.
When it comes to football on the field of play, the derby has consistently failed to produce a memorable match in recent times but supporters have always responded with huge enthusiasm.
Soweto derby tickets are always sought after, though most of the time when they meet, they are not in good form and are irrelevant when it comes to the race for the DStv Premiership championship.
Before Tuesday and Wednesday’s league action, Chiefs were 13 points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, while Pirates trailed the early pacesetters by a whopping 15 points.
Chiefs and Pirates will go at it again on Saturday and log standings don’t paint a good picture, with hosts Chiefs on a two-match losing streak and a new coach in Cavin Johnson.
Pirates, who are in the relegation zone, have gone four league matches without a win, a poor run that includes two draws and two losses and coach Jose Riveiro is a man under increasing pressure.
It is also worth noting that supporters of the two teams are deflated after they were recently dumped out of the Carling Knockout and this match presents some sort of redemption.
A chance for redemption may come before the derby as Pirates took on Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night and Chiefs host struggling Cape Town City on Wednesday.
Baloyi, who played in many absorbing matches during the golden era of the derby, said for most people it’s just about being seen at FNB Stadium to socialise and network rather than the football.
“People must understand the Soweto derby is not about people on the field, it is an event. It is like going to the Durban July or Joy of Jazz, some people go to the Soweto derby and sometimes they come back not knowing who won,” he said.
“It is a lifestyle event, at the Joy of Jazz for some people it doesn’t matter which artists are coming. There are people who just go there because the event is popular.
“It is like myself, I want to go and watch the El Classico and by the time I get an opportunity to go watch it, it will not matter who is playing there. I would have loved to have watched the El Classico when Lionel Messi was there, but it will be an issue of saying I have ticked the box of having been there.”
Baloyi added the football match will go ahead, and he hopes for an absorbing contest.
“At the end of the day, it is a football match and the show must go on. Pirates have been playing well and winning trophies over the past two seasons and doing that with a new coach is no mean feat.
“Chiefs have not been playing so well, I haven’t watched their last match, and I don’t know what type of football coach Cavin Johnson is going to play. I don’t know if he is going to play beautiful football or just play to win.
“He [Johnson] is getting baptism of fire in the derby, fortunately for him it is not just Chiefs where players don’t not enough derby experience.
“It promises to be a good match and hopefully that will be the case for the sake of the supporters.”
To show the derby’s pulling power, Chiefs and Pirates are expected to dwarf the African Football League (AFL) final, second leg between Sundowns and Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca on Sunday at Loftus.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.