AHEAD OF THE weekend’s Spoweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, Matshelane Mamabolo reflects on his five most memorable individual performances by a Buccaneers’ player in the classic clash.
While he is not on this list, Mamabolo says Benedict Vilakazi remains one of the most consistent top performing Soweto Derby players he has witnessed, the Little Napoleon always so influential for the Buccaneers, even when he played on his wedding day ...
JOMO SONO
Few players have excelled in the derby like the Troublemaker has and one performance that is always spoken of, is when he was still a schoolboy back in 1972. There’s a famous video of him being carried aloft by the crowd at the end of the match, Jomo having thrilled with his magical ball skills, as Pirates came from behind to win the encounter 2-1.
Only 17-years-old then, Jomo showed no respect for his elders as he toyed with the Chiefs players to the delight of the fans who duly celebrated him afterwards.
On 3 November 1990 this Orlando Pirates team embarrassed Kaizer Chiefs by beating them 5-1 goalscorers on that day were Mandla Metroblitz Sithole, Tebogo Moloi, Ernst Botsotso Makhanya and brace by Rod Anley.,Absalom Scara Thindwa scored Chiefs consolation goal... pic.twitter.com/58z5Ja98wP
— Sthenjwa Muji (@ZweliNgema32973) December 27, 2023
ROD ANLEY
In November 1990, Rod Anley entered his name into Pirates folklore with a second half brace, as the Buccaneers hammered Amakhosi 5-1 in a league match. It rained goal that day and Anley got in on the party, his dance celebrations almost mythical.
He also danced his way past a Chiefs defence which had already been dizzied by goals from Mandla Sithole, Treboho Moloi and Ernest Makhanya. The victory literally put paid to Chiefs’ hopes of catching up to runaway Mamelodi Sundowns’ in the championship race and made Anley a legend
MARKS MAPONYANE
A former Chiefs player, Go-Man-Go produced a memorable derby showing in 1994, as Pirates won the championship of the inaugural season of a democratic South Africa. Marks was a livewire that October day, running the Chiefs defence ragged as he went on to become only the fourth player to score in the derby for both teams, as he converted a penalty for a 2-0 victory.
He had been brought down by Rudolph Seale for the spot kick. Maponyane had also crossed the ball from which Marc Batchelor scored the opener with a superb diving header.
JERRY SIKHOSANA
Legs of Thunder is a true Pirates legend and will forever be feted for THAT goal in Abidjan. A year after that though, he further endeared himself to The Ghost when he helped the club hammer their arch-enemy in the Bob Save Super Bowl semi-final.
Sikhosana humiliated his good friend Brian Baloyi, smashing a hat-trick past the revered Spiderman – as it rained goals at the FNB Stadium with Pirates winning the match 4-1. One of the goals was the kind no self-respecting keeper wants to concede, Jerry beating Brian at his near post in a performance that cemented his standing as a Pirates great.
LESLEY MANYATHELA
For someone who died so early, Lesley Manyathela made a massive impact on the South African football scene. The lad from Musina out in Limpopo starred for the Buccaneers and made an indelible mark on the Soweto derby in a 2001 match, which Pirates won 3-0.
Nicknamed ‘Slow Poison’ because of his deceivingly languid disposition from which he always punished the opposition, he smashed a brace against Amakhosi – one in each half – as he undermined Baloyi’s standing as a top notch goalkeeper, Manyathela scoring both goals from close range.