Has Chiefs-Pirates derby lost its iconic status?

This Saturday, Chiefs and Pirates are set to clash at the FNB Stadium, and it will undoubtedly be packed out with fans who have a historical attachment to this iconic Soweto derby.

In the previous 14 meetings between the two sides, Chiefs have won eight matches, with Pirates claiming victory on six occasions.

However, as these two football giants get set to go head-to-head, it’s debatable whether this derby battle really holds the lustre it once did.

Although Pirates enjoyed a highly successful season in 2023-24, there is still some way to go before they can once again be regarded as league title contenders, with Mamelodi Sundowns simply unstoppable in the DStv Premiership.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs are heading towards a decade without a meaningful trophy and are currently sixth on the league log, 16 points adrift of Sundowns. The Buccaneers aren’t doing all that much better – sitting fourth – but still 13 points away from Sundowns.

Pirates and Chiefs derby battles now about bragging rights?

The two Soweto giants will always have massive motivation when going into battle, and in this specific game, a victory would go a long way towards their goals of finishing second.

Once upon a time, though, this battle used to have huge league title ramifications, and now it’s more about bragging rights.

It does seem like some of the public excitement in the lead-up to this encounter is also no longer where it used to be, especially when it comes to neutrals.

In particular, Chiefs seem a long way away from their former glory days.

“Former players have been coming to the village to raise their concerns; they don’t think the players understand the kind of brand Chiefs is,” a Phakaaathi insider source was quoted as saying. “Scouts are already hard at work trying to bring quality players who will do the job for the club. I think they are nearing the end of the search for a new coach, and now the big job will be getting top players.”

Do you feel the same way about the Soweto derby? *Let us know in the comment section at the end of this article.