I have wanted to write a post on the PSL (Premier Soccer League). This past weekend's derby gave me the idea to do it on this. This Derby is contested by clubs Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Happily (at least to me), Pirates emerged as the winners by winning 3 -2. I don't follow the PSL in great deal but I feel the need to support a team if you follow/watch a sporting competition.
I am aware of this heated rivalry. It is important to note that this derby is different to the original Soewto Derby that is contested by Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows. I am under the belief that this is the most looked forward to matchday weeks in every season. This began on 24 January 1970.
The origin speaks volumes. Kaizer Chiefs was formed by an ex Orlando Pirates player, Kaizer Motaung.
He left Pirates to join the now deceased North American Soccer League. This was a league that was based in USA and Canada. It operated from 1968 - 1984. While there, Motaung played for the Atlanta Chiefs. When he returned to South Africa, he came to see a lot of infighting among the Pirates higher ups. Motaung decided to form a Kaizer XI. This XI only played friendlies at first. They later got established as a football club and thus the rivalry was born.
The overall statistics mostly point to Kaizer Chiefs being the superior outfit. League wise, they have met 53 times, with Chiefs winning 20 of them, Pirates winning 12 and there being 24 draws. In the Nebank Cup (league cup), they have met 17 times, with Chiefs winning 8, Pirates winning 6 and there being 3 draws. In the Telkom Knockut (cup competition), there have been 5 encounters. It's even stevens in this regard as Chiefs and Pirates each hold a solitary victory and there being 3 draws. The MTN8 (a competition that pits the top 8 ranked teams in the PSL from the previous season, against each other) is the only competition where Pirates come out as superior. They have faced-off on 10 occasions. Pirates have come out victorious 6 times and Chiefs 2 times. There are no draws eligible in this competition.
Kaizer Chiefs also comes up trumps in when it comes to the trophy cabinet. Domestically, Kaizer Chiefs have won 53 trophies while Orlando Pirates have won 31. Continental wise, Pirates come out as the winners, by winning 2 trophies (the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup) to Kaizer Chiefs' 1 (now defunct African Cup Winners Cup).
The Derby is so big that another coach has acknowledged it. There is another PSL derby, the Tshwane Derby. This takes place between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United. The former's coach, Rulani Mokwena, has said that the Soweto one is the biggest. This is mostly based on the hiistorical nature. He also points to the emotions and rivalry it contains.
Let's face it. In my view, these two clubs will be the most well known in South Africa. Every PSL fan will always talk about them. Mamelodi Sundowns may win their umpteenth title but that is mostly to be expected. No one will be wide-eyed or open mouthed when this occurs. However, there is and will forever remain excitement and electricity in the air when these two sides come face-to-face in whatever competition.