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Nasreddine Nabi of Kaizer Chiefs and Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates 16-9GOAL GFX
Celine Abrahams

Soweto Derby showdown: Will Kaizer Chiefs rise from the ashes or Orlando Pirates keep their Premier Soccer League title hopes alive?

It’s that time again, Soweto stands still and South Africa holds its breath as Amakhosi and the Buccaneers clash in the iconic match.

FNB Stadium will be the stage for another heart-thumping Soweto Derby on Saturday, 3 May at 3 pm, as Kaizer Chiefs lock horns with Orlando Pirates in what many are hoping to be a thunderous affair. 

With both teams having plenty to play for - Chiefs clawing for a Top 8 finish and Pirates pursuing Mamelodi Sundowns at the summit - the stakes couldn’t be higher. And with a Nedbank Cup final rematch looming just seven days later, this derby is more than just a game; it’s the calm before a storm or perhaps, the storm before the final calm.

Here, GOAL builds-up to the highly anticipated clash by looking at the form of both clubs, the pressure mounting, and the suspensions heading into this match.

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  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Derby with double stakes

    This weekend’s clash isn’t just another chapter in South Africa’s most celebrated football rivalry, it’s a strategic warm-up for next week’s Nedbank Cup final in Durban. Both teams know that momentum matters and a win here could tilt the psychological edge. 

    Pirates want to prove their title ambitions are alive, while Chiefs are desperate to stay relevant and reach the top half of the standings. The Derby doubles as both a war for points and a battle for mental dominance.

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  • Jose Riveiro. Orlando Pirates, April 2025Backpagepix

    Pirates plot a title twist, Chiefs chase redemption

    The Buccaneers, sitting in second place, are still mathematically in the hunt to catch league leaders Sundowns. However, their recent 1-0 midweek slip-up against Sekhukhune United has cast doubts. 

    Meanwhile, Amakhosi are fighting for something arguably just as important: pride and a spot in the Top 8. A Soweto Derby win could salvage what’s been a frustrating season for the Black and Gold.

  • Wandile Duba, Kaizer Chiefs, 2025Backpage

    Suspensions to shape line-ups

    Pirates and Chiefs will be without Nkosinathi Sibisi and Wandile Duba, respectively, who are serving suspension, while the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tapelo Xoki and Thalente Mbatha are one yellow card away from suspension ahead of next week’s cup final. Saturday’s match throws up a tactical conundrum, especially for coach Jose Riveiro. 

    Does he go all in and risk losing key players? Or hold back, play it safe and gamble on depth? Expect a chess match of substitutions and strategy.

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  • Orlando Pirates fans at FNB Stadium on March 16Backpage.

    Back-to-back battles to savour

    Derbies are rare and back-to-back derbies? Even rarer. For fans, this is more than football, it’s a cultural festival, a week-long celebration of rivalry and community, passion and pressure. 

    These two will rock twice in seven days and only one team can emerge with both the bragging rights and eventually the silverware.


  • Jose Riveiro and Nasreddine Nabi, Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer ChiefsBackpage

    Pressure cooker for the coaches

    Both benches are under the spotlight. For Chiefs, a poor result could heap pressure on their technical team as whispers of change grow louder. For Pirates, a win keeps the title dream flickering, builds momentum ahead of the Nedbank Cup final and presents a great sending off for Jose Riveiro. 

    This derby could either steady or sink their ships and for both coaches, their reputations are on the line.


  • Kaizer Chiefs fans celebrateBackpagepix

    Fans, fireworks and a full house

    Over 80,000 fans are expected to fill FNB Stadium, with millions more watching across Mzansi. The atmosphere? Electric. The pressure? Intense. The stories? Countless.

    Whether it’s a thunderous goal, a controversial call, or a late winner, fans are expecting fireworks galore. 

  • Innocent Maela & Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates & Yusuf Maart & Mduduzi Shabalala, Kaizer Chiefs, January 2025Backpagepix

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