‘Like someone asking, how does Coca-Cola taste?’: legends describe derby feeling

At some stage during their respective careers, they were the main characters in the ongoing Soweto derby sequel. 

That's what Steve Komphela, Happy Jele and Bernard Parker have in common, but they will be mere spectators when Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday (3.30pm) at a packed FNB Stadium. 

Komphela coached Chiefs against their bitter rivals in this match that attracts the attention of South African football lovers and brings the country to a standstill. Jele captained Pirates in many derby battles, while Parker scored some of his goals against the Buccaneers.

Komphela is now assistant coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, Jele has retired, while Parker is also retired and is coach of TS Galaxy’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) under-23 side, taking baby steps into coaching.

As the clash looms large with little to separate the two teams, the trio shared their experiences.

Komphela said it is an occasion that is difficult to describe and forget once you have experienced it first-hand. 

“No words can explain it, it’s like someone asking you, 'How does Coca-Cola taste?' And how do you explain that?” said Komphela. 

“It is something you need to live and experience by being there to really understand it. Even with that understanding, if they say please explain it to us, you will never be able to explain it. 

“It is electrifying, sometimes it can be energy-consuming, it can also be intimidating, but the biggest thing of all is to go through that experience with awareness, alertness and consciously.

“Absorb as much as you can, because after the experience, you need to have words to be able to explain it. Still today I can't explain it and I have been involved in a few of them.” 

Komphela said the deafening noise inside a packed FNB Stadium is a force on its own. 

“The energy is amazing. When you go into the FNB Stadium with 90,000 spectators the sound is like there are bees inside there and the level of focus gets affected. And when the players come out and you feel the cheer or the jeer, it is another world. 

“It is something you can never explain, but it is an experience that if you are part of it, you can never forget.” 

Jele, one of the players with most appearances in the derby with 29 under his belt, is excited that youngsters such as Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota of Pirates and Mduduzi Shabalala and Mfundo Vilakazi of Chiefs are in the spotlight. 

It is going to be a tricky one. With my personal experience of over 30 derbies, the team that goes into the match not doing well is not usually the one that wins.

—  Bernard Parker

“I played in many derbies, but what excites me the most about this one is that young players are rising. I will make an example of Relebohile Mofokeng, who has been doing great and has been growing as a player,” the former Bucs captain and 16-year club servant said. 

“He is young, he’s got confidence, he is arrogant and he is someone you want to watch every game. Last season, his game in the derby was average, but I expect him to rise to another level on Saturday.” 

Parker, another player with the most derby appearances, with over 30 under his belt, said form always goes out of the window when Pirates and Chiefs lock horns. 

“It is going to be a tricky one. With my personal experience of over 30 derbies, the team that goes into the match not doing well is not usually the one that wins.

“For Orlando Pirates, it is about continuing with the form they have shown since the start of the season. For Kaizer Chiefs it is about making use of this opportunity because winning the derby can set the tone for the rest of the season.” 

Chiefs are in fifth place in the Premiership with 21 points from 14 matches. Pirates, in second place (27 from 11), are favourites on Saturday, but form often counts for little in the derby.