By Sameer Naik31 January 2025

Mark Fish and Shaun Bartlett anticipate the Soweto Derby thriller

Former Bafana Bafana legends Mark Fish and Shaun Bartlett are expecting a thrilling encounter when Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs lock horns at FNB Stadium this Saturday.

Fish, who previously played for Pirates, and Bartlett, who previously played for Chiefs, said the Soweto derby would always remain the biggest fixture in South Africa’s football calendar.

“The Soweto Derby, without a doubt, is one of the biggest derbies in the world. As far as prestige and attendance are concerned, along with the atmosphere,” said Bartlett. “I don’t think the drop-in form from either team will affect the excitement and unpredictability of this massive game.”

Fish is in agreement with Bartlett’s sentiments.

“No matter how the teams are performing, the derby always remains a massive game. One team may be performing better than the other, or both teams may not be performing well, but the Derby is the Derby. When Chiefs play Pirates and Pirates play Chiefs, the fans are going to brag to their friends and family the next day about who the winners of the derby were. The Derby was always massive and still is.”

Pirates head into the fixture as favourites, having been a level above Chiefs this season. Fish says going into a derby as favourites is a “horrible” title to have.

“There is one team that is performing better than the other team, we can all see that, regardless of which team you support. Yes, we know Pirates are in form and doing well in Africa, doing well in the league, and have gone through to the next round of the Nedbank Cup. So Pirates are doing everything that is expected of them. Chiefs, on the other hand, are hobbling along, getting results, not getting results, and their fans would like them to do a lot better. Pirates are the in-form team but we don’t want to give that tag to anyone. When it’s the Derby, it’s the best team on the day that gets the result, gets the lucky break and wins the derby. Form doesn’t mean you will win the derby.”

Charlton Athletic’s Richard Rufus (r) is congratulated on scoring the second goal by teammates Shaun Bartlett (c) and Mark Fish (l) (Photo by Adam Davy/EMPICS via Getty Images)

Bartlett is expecting Chiefs to go up a level when they face their Soweto rivals. “When it comes to form, the Derby has produced some very surprising results in recent years. Based on Chiefs not having won a trophy for more than a decade, this game will always take priority for players, club, and fans alike. Expect fire, skills and individual brilliance.”

He says his former team are up against an extremely tough opponent and will have to be at their best if they are to walk away with bragging rights and all three points. “Chiefs will have to deal with a Pirates team that is doing well on all fronts and in all departments on the field. Their attacking threats are the biggest issue Chiefs will have to deal with. Pirates have shown this season that they are more than capable competing in all competitions, having won the MTN8 Cup already this season. They are unbeaten in their last three games versus Chiefs.”

Bartlett says his former team will be playing for much more than just three points at the FNB Stadium this weekend. “This game will always be more than three points as it literally divides Soweto into two parts. Black and Gold, or White and Black. It even divides families when it comes to game day.”

Asked about Chiefs’ title aspirations, Bartlett says Chiefs need consistency if they are to challenge for the league title. “Inconsistency is the one word that comes to mind when talking about Chiefs. They have given hope to the fans, but also quite a bit of frustration when not winning games you expect them to win.”

Fish expects a feisty encounter come Saturday, with both teams ready to attack from kick-off.

“It’s going to be an exciting game because of the form that Pirates are in,” said Fish. “I expect them to play the exciting football that we’ve seen not only in the league, but in Africa too. And we all know Chiefs can play better and more exciting football, so give the fans what they want. Because there is such high expectation on Pirates to win the game, Chiefs have nothing to lose, so they need to play that attacking brand of football that their fans would love to see. Both teams will want to make sure first and foremost that they don’t lose, that’s the most important. Then the three points will be a bonus for either team.”