A Soweto Derby Of Major Significance

South Africas Betway Premiership will have its marquee match on Saturday 1 February 2025, as Soweto Derby rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs cross swords.

The match, set for the iconic FNB Stadium, has major significance for both clubs. While Pirates are looking to keep up the pressure on Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race they are six points off the pace of the Brazilians, but with a game in hand, Chiefs are looking to fully regain the faith of their supporters midway through a campaign beset by disappointments and inconsistencies.

The Amakhosi, for example, have not won back-to-back league matches since the start of the season in September, though they do at least come into this clash in a streak of good form, having won three of their last four outings across all competitions the most recent of which saw them ease past Free Agents 4-0 in a Nedbank Cup clash on Sunday.

Nonetheless, coach Nasreddine Nabi who will return to the bench after being suspended for the last two matches remains under intense scrutiny, and Chiefs are not helped by having Wandile Duba sidelined with injury. Three new transfers have arrived at the time of writing in the shape of Glody Lilepo, Thabo Cele and Tashreeq Morris, but it remains to be seen whether they will be thrown in at the deep end for a match of this importance and prestige.

If I was afraid for my spot job, if I wanted, I could play a mid-block, play defensive, look for counter-attacks with Ashley Du Preez, who is very fast, and getting the result like that, explained Nabi.