Intense Rivalry: Clash of Giants in Soweto Football Match
Historical Insights into the Soweto Derby
As the highly anticipated Soweto derby approaches, we delve into the statistics that have shaped this fiercely contested rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Their first encounter occurred 53 years ago, marking the beginning of 178 games over five decades.
In this competitive series, Kaizer Chiefs hold a lead with 74 wins, while Pirates have managed 45 victories. fifty-four matches have resulted in a draw. It is worth noting that five encounters remained unfinished during this period.
Betting enthusiasts might be interested to know that, in the DSTV Prem, Kaizer Chiefs have won 74 of the derbies, with Pirates winning 45 and 54 ending in a draw.
Though the dominance of Sundowns in the South African Premiership over the last decade has somewhat tempered the heat of the Soweto derby, the significance of the fixture remains undiminished. A look back at the league table 10 years ago reveals that both teams held the top positions, a rarity in recent years. In March 2013, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were placed 1st and 2nd respectively. Fast forward to the present day, and their positions have drastically changed, with Chiefs in 7th and Pirates in 10th.
For a comparative perspective, it's worth mentioning that Stellenbosch FC, Cape Town City, Polokwane City, Chippa, Moroka Swallows, and Arrows, teams currently above Pirates in the table, were not even present in the league 10 years ago.
A unique occurrence took place in April 2005, when both Chiefs and Pirates topped the table coming into the derby, a fact rarely repeated. In the last few years, Kaizer Chiefs have been more stable in mid-table before the derby, with their last six matches placing them in 5th, 5th, 3rd, 7th, 11th, and 8th. Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, find themselves at their lowest position before a derby since March 2017, when they were in 11th.
The average league position for the sides coming into the derby this weekend will be 8.5, not the lowest average recorded. Three previous occasions have seen the teams with a lower average position before a derby, although these statistics should be considered more as a guide rather than a scientific study, given the varying factors at play.
With each game and dropped point, both teams' hopes of another title challenge gradually fade. A confluence of excellent form and a significant slump for Sundowns might ignite a title race, but for now, both teams risk watching Sundowns pull further ahead for another year.
During the Soweto derby, the focus is not only on the heated rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but also on the sports of football and the fixtures themselves. Interestingly, in the DSTV Prem, Kaizer Chiefs have emerged victorious in 74 games, accounting for a significant portion of their wins in this long-standing series.
