Orlando Pirates closing in on Kaizer Chiefs’ Soweto Derby dominance
· The South African
Orlando Pirates have strengthened their dominance over Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs following their 2-1 victory in this past weekend’s derby.
The Buccaneers are now unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Amakhosi, further underlining their recent superiority in one of South African football’s biggest rivalries.
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In fact, Pirates have won 10 of their last 18 meetings across all competitions, while Chiefs have managed just a handful of victories during that period.
Amakhosi’s most recent triumph over their rivals came in May last year when they defeated Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final. However, the Glamour Boys have since struggled to get the better of their neighbours, suffering two defeats in their next three encounters.
Despite Pirates’ recent dominance, Chiefs still hold the overall advantage in the historical head-to-head record, with 75 victories compared to the Buccaneers’ 50.
Since the formation of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 1996, the balance has shifted.
The two Soweto giants have met 64 times across domestic league and cup competitions during the PSL era. Pirates have claimed 27 victories, compared to Chiefs’ 23, while 14 encounters have ended in draws.
Pirates turning the tide in the Soweto Derby
For much of the rivalry’s history, Kaizer Chiefs enjoyed the upper hand, particularly during the 1980s when the Glamour Boys were among the dominant forces in South African football.
However, the balance gradually began to shift in Pirates’ favour during the 1990s, with the Buccaneers increasingly challenging their neighbours for domestic honours.
That shift has become even more noticeable in recent years, with Pirates enjoying a sustained run of positive results against Chiefs.
The Buccaneers’ dominance is also reflected in their success on the trophy front. Having collected major domestic honours and established themselves as regular contenders in African competitions, Pirates have enjoyed a successful period.
Their current run against Chiefs could therefore be seen as a reminder of the dominance Amakhosi once enjoyed during their golden era in the 1980s.
While Chiefs remain ahead in the overall historical head-to-head record, Pirates are steadily changing the narrative of the Soweto Derby.