The Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates has over three decades grown to be one of most talked about derbies in Southern Africa. This dates as far back as 70s and has become one of the top football clashes in the continent if not the world. The games between the two sides have also emerged as the flagship of the Premier Soccer League with last season’s first leg derby televised for the first time over 40 countries.

It was in the derby that the likes of the late, Pule “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Jomo “Black Prince” Sono, Teenage Dladla, Rhee Skhosana, Wagga Wagga Lekoebe, Doctor “16 V” Khumalo, Tebogo “Junior Chippa” Moloi including Kaizer Chiefs Chairman and MD Kaizer “Chincha Guluva” Motaung showcased their skills. During the torrid years of the previous regime it was games between the two Soweto giants that brought smiles to South Africa’s soccer love fanatics.

There is never a dull moment when the two giants meet. It is the grass that suffers whenever the two giants lock horns and it will not be different tonight at EPRU stadium in Port Elizabeth. Amakhosi have won the Vodacom Challenge a record of four times while Orlando Pirates, who were inaugural winners, won it twice. The winner tonight will meet Manchester United in a showpiece final to be played in front of a sell-out crowd at Loftus in Tshwane.

This is the 10th edition of Vodacom Challenge and the Kaizer Chiefs are meeting Orlando Pirates for the third time. The last time the two teams met in this competition was last year, here at EPRU with Orlando Pirates winning by 1-0 through Bennet Chenene’s volley to qualify for the final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Kaizer Chiefs Physio, David Milner confirmed to kaizerchiefs.com that everyone is ready for the game. Emille Baron, who had a cold in Cape Town is back and fit ahead of the game tonight.

The Glamour Boys had their last training last night at the EPRU stadium under the watchful eye of Head Coach, Muhsin Ertugral and the rest of the Technical Team. They are looking good ahead of the big match today.

Kaizer Chiefs previous meetings with Orlando Pirates in Vodacom Challenge:

2000

Vodacom Final at Kings Park Stadium, Durban

Kaizer Chiefs 1 (Lucky Maselesele 87)


Orlando Pirates 0

2005

ABSA Stadium, Durban

Orlando Pirates 2 (Blaise Lelo Mbhele 38, Davies Mwape 72)


Kaizer Chiefs 1 (David Radebe 90)

2006

Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg

Orlando Pirates 0


Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Shaun Bartlett 5, Gert Schalkwyk 77)