Soweto Derby Remains Lifeline Of Sa Football

Comment by Smiso Msomi

The Soweto Derby, pitting two giants of South African football Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has long been more than just a game.

It is a cultural phenomenon, a clash reverberating far beyond the confines of the football pitch.

Every time the two sides meet, stadiums explode with passion, loyalty, and, at times, tension that mirrors the socio-political landscape of South Africa itself. But does this storied encounter still hold the same weight in the modern era of football, or is it merely a relic of a bygone age?

The game of football has long been understood to be about the supporters that watch closely, whether at the stadium or on television every week, and this was made even more clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic.