Derby days

Readers share with KICK OFF their favourite Soweto Derby memories

Players and fans alike are looking forward to the next big showdown

BEST DERBY I’VE WATCHED ... Orlando Pirates Supporters

Wendy ‘Guru’ Rakuba

I can remember when Benni McCarthy was still playing for us ... we scored three goals in the first 23 minutes at a soldout FNB Stadium in 2012. I was at the stadium at the time. I never miss the Derby for anything. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I was overwhelmed – I nearly died from excitement at seeing our rivals being humiliated in a matter of just 23 minutes!

Mbongeni Jobe Sithole

My best Derby was when we beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-1 in the 1996 Bob Save Semi-final. It was played at FNB Stadium; Steve Lekoelea was all over them on one side, and Brandon Silent on the other. The best moment was when Orlando Pirates passed the ball around and Chiefs chased it like headless chickens.

Philani Madonsela

Eish it’s a tough question to answer. There are many Soweto Derbies that I’ve watched that brought a smile to my face, dating from the 1983 Sales House Cup up to the 1988 Bob Save. Then the 5-1 drubbing we gave them in 1990 when Rod Anley scored a brace. I’d say the 1996 Bob Save Super Bowl remains the best. Both teams were equally balanced and had exciting players – Chiefs had Thabo Mooki, Thabang Lebese, Frank Makua and Pollen Ndlanya, while Pirates had John Moeti, Dumisa Ngobe, Helman Mkhalele, Brandon Silent and Jerry Sikhosana. Pirates coach Viktor Bondarenko deployed a 3-5-2, and a combination of Moeti and Clifford Moleko in the middle prevented Chiefs from breathing and allowed Ngobe to attack, willingly flanked by Silent and Mkhalele. We used only three defenders in Gavin Lane, Guy Roger Nzeng and Phiri Tsotetsi against a rampant Kaizer Chiefs. Sikhosana netted a hat-trick and Helman Mkhalele put the icing on the cake when he calmly beat Brian Baloyi after substitute David Modise had pulled one back for Amakhosi to reduce the deficit – 4-1 was the final score.