Lucky Lekgwathi (Orlando Pirates defender)
It was 2007 in Durban and we drew 2-2. It was a tough yet exciting game, and the atmosphere was amazing. I remember they scored early ... Mabhuti Khenyeza after 19 seconds!
We bounced back and scored two goals through Excellent Walaza, but Chiefs got the equaliser through Arthur Zwane. We were happy about the draw, but unhappy with conceding the second goal.
However, coach Owen da Gama was happy with the performance as it was the first Derby for most of our youngsters like Walaza, Tlou Segolela, the late Senzo Menyiwa and Linda Mkhwanazi. The boys played very, very well.
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 sold-out FNB Stadium in 2012. I was at the stadium at the time. 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.
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