As we count down to the Soweto Derby clash between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium this Saturday, one thing is for sure – one thing is guaranteed – the supporters will be out in their numbers, supporting their respective teams and continue to preserve what’s left of this massive game’s dignity and reputation. By all accounts, this clash can easily be considered a ‘dead rubber’ one in football terms because it is an inconsequential game.
The two teams are trailing log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, by 13 (Bucs) and 16 (Chiefs) points respectively, which renders their chances of catching up with or even challenging the Chloorkop-based side futile. It has been a very, very long time since the last time the two teams met at this stage of the season challenging for league honours. It has been a very long time since the two teams last captured the imagination of South African football supporters. But, despite all of that, the supporters continue to play their part, they continue to live in hope that things will eventually get better. It is history now that it’s been over nine years since Amakhosi last put a smile on their supporters’ faces, something unheard of in the team’s illustrious history. A team affectionately known as the Glamour Boys, the ‘Cup Kings’ of South African football.
Pirates, on the other hand, have been making inroads and trying so hard to revive their league championship hopes over the last couple of seasons. They have finished second on the log and won three trophies in the last two seasons. On paper, that looks promising and that looks like a team in the right direction. But when you look at their league form, it’s left so much to be desired. The team has dropped a number of points they should have easily collected. For instance, you can’t claim to be serious about challenging Downs and go on to lose to Cape Town Spurs, with all due respect to the Parow-based club who only had recorded one victory in the first round of the season. Inconsistency has been coach Jose Riveiro’s side’s Achilles tendon and a mark of a team not worthy of being champions! It is by no mistake that they are where they are on the log standings, struggling to amass 30 points after more than half the campaign.
