Posted in News, Team News on Apr 26, 2026.
The second and final Soweto Derby of the 2025/26 PSL season kicks off this afternoon as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates clash at the calabash, the FNB stadium.
This fixture has divided households and united millions of football fans across South Africa and beyond, delivering unforgettable moments of high-quality football in 1970. Today marks the 185th edition of this historic rivalry in all official competitions.
With Pirates and Chiefs respectively sitting second and third on the league table, the stakes remain high. Both sides know that every point counts with only five matches left in the season.
The coaches have rung the changes, making three adjustments from the team that started last weekend against Polokwane City. Mbongiseni Mthethwa comes in for Thabo Cele, Siphesihle Ndlovu replaces Mduduzi Shabalala, and Pule Mmodi takes the place of Flavio da Silva.
Amakhosi will go for a 3-5-2 formation.
Brandon Petersen is the goalkeeper.
At the back will be Bradley Cross on the left, Aden McCarthy will be at the centre, and Given Msimango is on the right.
Mthethwa is the defensive midfielder. He is supported by Lebohang Maboe and Ndlovu, with Mmodi on the left flank and Thabiso Monyane on the right.
In attack are Wandile Duba and Glody Lilepo.
Notably, Pirates have named the same starting XI as the one from the reverse fixture in February.
The referee in charge of this big encounter is Abongile Tom. He will be assisted by Zakhele Siwela and Kgara Mokoena. The fourth official will be Abraham Mashala.
The 90 000 fans in the stadium and millions watching on television can expect intensity, drama, and passion as two giants of South African football battle for bragging rights and crucial points in the title race.
The Betway Premiership match between the Glamour Boys and the Sea Robbers will commence at 15:00 at FNB stadium in Nasrec.
The match is live on SuperSport’s PSL channel 202 on DStv, SABC 1 and various SABC radio stations. There will be regular updates on the Club’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account, @kaizerchiefs.
Chiefs XI: Petersen © (1); Cross (48), McCarthy (35), Msimango (25), Monyane (2), Mthethwa (5), Ndlovu (8), Maboe (6), Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99), Duba (47)
Subs: Bvuma (16); Miguel (84), Frosler (39), Cele (21), Chislett (21), Shabalala (7), Velebayi (17), Vilakazi (28), Da Silva (77)
Coaches: Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze
Pirates XI: Chaine (24); Sibisi © (5), Seema (33), Sibelebele (36), Hotto (7), Makhaula (8), Mofokeng (38), Mbatha (16), Mbuthuma (9), Moremi (11), Appolis (12)
Subs: Buthelezi (35); Dansin (46), Chabatsane (43), Masanganyi (28), Van Rooyen (21), Makgopa (17), Nemtajela (15), De Jong (14), Ndaba (3)
Coach: Ouaddou Abdeslami
