Back to the United States Women Newsfeed

Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Unpicking the origins of the mysterious Soweto derby

This weekend, South Africa will be brought to a standstill on Saturday, as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates collide in the latest edition of the Soweto derby—the biggest match in the national football calendar.

Despite being one of the most intense rivalries in African football, the collision between the two old foes is a match not quite like any other, as supporters sit side by side and approach the contest with a sense of fraternity and fellowship.

It’s the kind of unity and camaraderie that would be completely alien to supporters of Al-Ahly and SC Zamelek, for example, Egypt’s big two, who contested a fearsome derby of their own on Friday evening.