Soweto Derby

Once again the biggest football derby in South Africa has come and gone and it left tears in the eyes of most die hard Orlando Pirates supporters, after they were crushed 3-1 by Kaizer Chiefs.

 The game started at a fast pace with players from both teams clearly nervous but it was Chiefs who settled the quickest of the two teams. In the 6^th minute a counter attack started by a kick from Khune the Chiefs keeper found an unmarked Knowledge Musona who managed to dribble past the Pirates skipper Lekgwathi with ease and cross a beautiful ball into the box which Klate put into his own box to give Chiefs the early lead.

Musona then traumatised Lekgwathi again in the 42^nd minute by winning a penalty after he was tripped by him in the 18 yards box. The Zimbabwean then stood up to take the spot kick himself, he sent Josephs the wrong way and converted the penalty making the score 2-0. Apart from a few free kicks that were taken by Klate Pirates never threatened the Chiefs goal, making the first half a one sided affair.

Pirates came close to equalizing in the 2^nd half after a rare error from Khune saw him spill the ball after a free kick but they failed to capitalise on the mistake. On the half hour mark Mahumutsa tried to head the ball back to his keeper but man of the match winner Musona managed to get to the ball before Josephs could and scooped the ball over him and headed into the Pirates goal, scoring his 3^rd goal against Pirates this season. 

Ruud Krol the Pirates coach made a substitutions that paid dividends as substitute Otorogu scored a beautiful powerful goal in the 76^th minute that even the number1 keeper in South Africa could not save, but it was all too little too late for Pirates to do anything against the best defence in the league so far, having conceded only 2 goals prior to the game.

By Lepkeen

Top Derbies

So as the Manchester Derby approaches us, I thought I would just give a few mentionable Football Derbies around the world:

1.      Celtic vs. Rangers: The Old Firm derby between Scotland's two most successful clubs dates back to 1888. The encounter is world famous for commitment and tension. The atmosphere when the duo contest at Ibrox Stadium or Celtic Park is rated as one of the most thumping. Violence has often surrounded the clashes as supporters let their emotions get the better of them in a game that is steeped in religion, politics and differing social attitudes.

                                                                                                 

2.       AC Milan vs. Inter Milan: Derby Della Madonnina (the Milan derby) sees Italian giants Inter Milan and AC Milan go head-to-head in a contest that always captures the imagination. The rivalry is fierce, the result everything to the supporters.

3.    Tottenham Spurs vs. Arsenal: Spurs and the Gunners have played out some truly memorable North London derbies. From 1971's double-clinching triumph for Arsenal to a truly epic final few moments this season as Tottenham somehow clawed back a 4-4 draw at Emirates Stadium. Few players have made the switch from white to red and white. Sol Campbell's controversial transfer in 2001 was fraught with debate and even saw the defender receive death threats from enraged supporters.

4.     Boca Juniors vs. River Plate - Superclasico: the colossal encounter that sees two clubs from Buenos Aires battle for bragging rights until their next South America rendezvous. The match-up is world-renowned for its devoted capacity crowds that conjure an unforgettable atmosphere. Football fanatics travel far and wide to witness the meeting of Argentina's two biggest sides. Riots have been plentiful while police often have to battle against violence.

5.    Liverpool vs. Everton: The Merseyside derby is a monster of an encounter that sees Liverpool and Everton fans run their fingers down a fresh fixture list hungry to discover the dates of their scheduled match-ups for the term ahead. The 'friendly derby' is blue v red, Goodison Park v Anfield - with Stanley Park acting as the border that separates two rivals. It is the longest currently running top-flight derby in England, having been at that level since 1962

6.    Roma vs. Lazio: The Derby Della Capitale is more than just a game; it is a war of football. Twice a season Lazio and Roma lock horns in the league at their home, the Stadio Olimpico. This is a derby great. Battles often ensue between the Lazio ultras in Curva Nord and the Roma ultras in Curva Sud.

7.    Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce: Turkey's two most successful clubs engage in an enthralling and heart-thumping derby, with some fans regarding the result of the meeting more important than their final Super League standing. It is suggested Fenerbahce, situated on the Asian side of the Istanbul Strait, were primarily supported by the working class with Galatasaray followed by the affluent

8.    Al Ahly vs. Zamalek: The Cairo derby sees Africa's two most successful clubs lock horns in an almighty contest viewed by many. Al-Ahly and Zamalek were named as the top two African clubs of the 20th Century by Confederation of African Football. The duo - located in Greater Cairo - combat in a tense and closely-fought fixture. So heated are the meetings that a foreign referee is drafted in to officiate

9.    Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: While technically not a local derby, Real Madrid v Barcelona is a match that encompasses a fascinating rivalry between two Spanish giants. El Clasico is one of the grandest match-ups in football. Barca and Real are torn by adversary regions in Spain: Catalonia and Castile, respectively. Furthermore, Francisco Franco's regime suppressed the Catalan ways, deepening the Blaugrana's friction with Franco's preferred side, Real.

10. Orlando Pirates vs. Kaizer Chiefs:South Africa’s big boy derby grudge match, this is when two of the biggest teams from the region of Soweto play against each other ,the derby is a fierce and passionate one as the match easily fills the entire Soccer City stadium 87000 crazy passionate fans and not to mention the vuvuzela’s