In retrospective: Soweto Derby set for rare Cup final as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates renew historic rivalry

The Soweto Derby, as a cup final, is the dream of every company that chooses to sponsor local football.

After all, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are the biggest clubs in the country, and to have them meet on the ultimate stage of your competition is the stuff of dreams. You are guaranteed a full house.

Such encounters are rare, though. So rare, in fact, that since the unification of SA domestic football back in 1978 — when black and white players began competing against one another — there have only ever been four meetings between the South African giants in the country’s premier knockout competition, our own version of the FA Cup.

Prior to 78, the clubs met four times, with Chiefs winning three of those encounters, starting in 1971.

Nonetheless, trying to predict who will reign supreme is akin to trying to distinguish between navy blue and black in the dark — especially considering that Pirates go into the match fresh off a 2-1 league victory over Chiefs just this past weekend.

In these cup finals, Chiefs have the upper hand, despite Pirates having won the Nedbank Cup in recent seasons. Chiefs have triumphed in three of the previous four meetings between the two clubs, the last of which was played 19 years ago in Durban and required a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.

Here’s a look back at the previous final meetings between the two sides.

2006 Absa Cup

Chiefs 0 – Pirates 0 (Chiefs won 5-3 on penalties)

Ernst Middendorp was at the helm for Chiefs, facing off against Buccaneers’ stand-in coach Teboho Moloi. It was a tense affair at a packed Kings Park Stadium, with the indefatigable Shoes Moshoeu, in the twilight of his career, doing his best to orchestrate play for Chiefs. Alongside him were the tireless Tinashe Nengomasha and the skilful Thabo Mooki.

Moloi relied on skipper Onyekachi Okwonkwo to anchor the midfield, with Joseph Makhanya and the late Gift Leremi causing trouble on the wings in support of the powerful Collins Chabalala up front.

With no breakthrough in regulation time, it went to penalties. Chiefs converted their first four, while Isaac Chansa missed Pirates' second. Goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez slotted the fifth to seal victory before Pirates could take their final kick.

1988 BobSave Super Bowl

Replay: Orlando Pirates 2 (Steenkamp, Maake) – Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Mangena)

FNB took over from Mainstay as the competition’s sponsor.

Chiefs had won the last Mainstay Cup the previous year through a Marks Maponyane goal against AmaZulu. They were eager to be the first name etched on the new trophy. After a goalless initial final, the replay at Ellis Park proved decisive.

Mike Mangena opened the scoring for Chiefs before Basil Steenkamp equalised. Extra-time was needed yet again, and it was Lawrence ‘Killer’ Maake who struck the winning goal, crushing Chiefs' hopes and sending Pirates fans into raptures.

1984 Mainstay Cup

Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Dladla pen) – Orlando Pirates 0

At their peak, both teams boasted line-ups featuring the crème de la crème of South African football. Ellis Park was jam-packed, and the match swung back and forth like a pendulum.

A Chiefs attack on the left saw Fetsi ‘Chippa’ Molatedi hacked down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot.

Teenage Dladla stepped up against the legendary Patson Banda. In a moment of brilliance, Dladla feinted with one foot and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way with the other. Chiefs held firm to lift the trophy.

1981 Mainstay Cup

Chiefs 1 (Dladla) – Pirates 1 (Saidke); Replay: Chiefs 3 (Lechaba, Ntsoelengoe, Likoebe) – Pirates 1 (Sono)

Kaizer Motaung believed complacency cost Chiefs in the first match, as they had just secured the league title. He was confident of a stronger showing in the replay, and he was right. Orlando Stadium was full, and fans were treated to a four-goal thriller.

Malombo Lechaba, Ace Ntsoelengoe, and Wagga Wagga Likoebe found the net for Chiefs, while Jomo Sono scored what proved to be a consolation for Pirates. The match was later immortalised in a documentary titled The Will to Win — which Chiefs certainly displayed that day.