Soweto derby: Stars who supported Chiefs but played for Pirates

The Soweto derby is upon us, and it’s common knowledge that when both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates meet, no one wants to miss it.

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Kick-off for Saturday’s Soweto derby at FNB Stadium is at 15:30.

As we build up to this titanic clash, The South African reminds you of the players (past and present) who supported Chiefs but played for Pirates.

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Of course, for some, the occasion was overwhelming as they were/are conflicted between doing the job they were/are paid for at Pirates and rooting for their childhood club, Chiefs.

At the present moment, Pirates only have Monnapule Saleng as the only player that has come out to say he grew up supporting Chiefs in the current squad.

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However, there are four other former Pirates players who grew up supporting Chiefs but never got to play for them until their they retired from football.

SOWETO DERBY: STARS WHO SUPPORTED CHIEFS BUT PLAYED FOR PIRATES

MONNAPULE SALENG

Saleng recently confessed that he grew up supporting Chiefs and that he almost joined them as their player from Free State Stars two years ago.

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And this was before Pirates came knocking for his signature. At the time, Saleng was still waiting to hear from Chiefs who never came back to him.

DIKGANG MABALANE

Mabalane spent years at Jomo Cosmos as a professional, before moving to Pirates where he achieved huge success in his career.

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It was only after his retirement that Mabalane admitted to supporting Chiefs as a young boy; the club he never got to play for.

TEKO MODISE

Modise was a top player during his playing days, and while he grew up supporting Chiefs, it was Pirates who got to benefit from his talent.

HELMAN MKHALELE

The legendary Pirates winger enjoyed his best football at Pirates in the mid-90s, winning the CAF Champions League and CAF Super Cup but his heart was with Chiefs.

JERRY SIKHOSANA

Sikhosana used to mesmerise Chiefs during his playing days, and the majority of football thought he hated Chiefs with passion but that wasn’t the case as he grew up supporting them.

BENNI MCCARTHY

The now Manchester United striker coach went public about his love for Chiefs as a young boy when they turned down an opportunity to sign him in 2011.

McCarthy wasn’t entirely happy with statements attributed to Chiefs about him when he was clubless, and he turned out brilliantly for Pirates.

PITSO MOSIMANE

It wasn’t long ago when Mosimane told the media that he actually grew up supporting Chiefs when asked about his strong words against them when he was at Mamelodi Sundowns as head coach.

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