Back in the 70s and 80s, there was a fierce rivalry between the top teams from Soweto. Orlando Pirates, Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs all wanted the bragging rights in the township, but that didn't stop some players from featuring in all three teams…
Moroka Swallows are now a shadow of their former selves and are no longer playing in South Africa's top football division; however, they are still mentioned as a big Sowetan team due to their rich history.
Today, I take a look at players who have played for all three teams from Soweto.
Mark Batchelor
The blonde striker seldom came second in aerial battles, scoring the majority of his goals with his head… Batchelor was part of the Orlando Pirates squad that clinched the 1995 African Champions League, but that wasn't the only Sowetan outfit he played for.
The bulky forward also donned the colours of the other two Soweto juggernauts in Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows, while the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Wits University, Dynamos and Supersport United complete the list of teams the nomadic striker played for.
Siyabonga Nomvethe
Having set the scene alight with fine displays for African Wanderers, 'Bhele' joined Kaizer Chiefs - where he enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal - before making a move to Italy's Udinese.
Things didn't quite work out abroad and the speedy striker returned home and joined Orlando Pirates. After a short, unsuccessful spell at the Sea Robbers, Nomvethe left the South African shores again and joined Aalborg in Denmark.
As they say, home is where the heart is, and Nomvethe once again returned home and joined Moroka Swallows, a move which paid dividends… The Kwa Mashu-born striker found his scoring boots and scored a remarkable 20 league goals to win himself the Lesley Manyathela top goal-scorer award in the 2011/12 season.
Collins Mbesuma
'Ntofontofo', as he is affectionately known in football circles, wrote his name in South African football folklore when he scored an unbelievable 35 goals in the 2004/05 season, breaking Fani Madida's record of the most number of goals scored in a season in the process.
After that brilliant season, he moved to Portsmouth in England. The Zambian striker failed to settle at Pompey and later moved from team to team without any luck in Europe.
Mbesuma returned to South Africa where he joined the big spending Sundowns. However, Ntofontofo battled for form and soon joined Moroka Swallows. From the Birds, he then tried his luck at Golden Arrows before completing his hat- trick of Sowetan teams by joining Orlando Pirates.
Thabang Lebese
The late Thabang Lebese cut his teeth at Kaizer Chiefs, where he made a name for himself. However, after a fallout with the Amakhosi, he joined Ria Stars. At Manyora, his career was rejuvenated and the team he supported as a child, Orlando Pirates, came knocking for his signature.
Banda was influential for the Bucs, helping them clinch the league title in the 2002/03 season. In the twilight of his career, he made six appearances for Moroka Swallows.
Do you know of any other players who played for all three Sowetan teams and which one was the most successful?
