Soweto Derby set for rare Cup final clash

THE Soweto Derby, as a cup final, is the dream of every company that chooses to sponsor local football.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

After all, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are the biggest clubs in the country, and to have them meet on the ultimate stage of your competition is the stuff of dreams. You are guaranteed a full house.

Such encounters are rare, though. So rare, in fact, that since the unification of SA domestic football back in 1978 — when black and white players began competing against one another — there have only ever been four meetings between the South African giants in the country’s premier knockout competition, our own version of the FA Cup.

Prior to 78, the clubs met four times, with Chiefs winning three of those encounters, starting in 1971.

Nonetheless, trying to predict who will reign supreme is akin to trying to distinguish between navy blue and black in the dark — especially considering that Pirates go into the match fresh off a 2-1 league victory over Chiefs just this past weekend.

In these cup finals, Chiefs have the upper hand, despite Pirates having won the Nedbank Cup in recent seasons. Chiefs have triumphed in three of the previous four meetings between the two clubs, the last of which was played 19 years ago in Durban and required a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.