The Soweto Derby is one of the biggest matches on the African football calendar and it looks like its popularity cuts across the world.
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates always square it off in the Soweto Derby at least twice each season and it remains the top match in South Africa going by the huge following of both teams, added to the high stakes nature of the game.
The Soweto Derby’s popularity keeps transcending borders and this has been confirmed by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who has the match on his bucket list of top derbies he would love to witness.
Wright lauds Chiefs vs Pirates clash
Wright revealed this during a discussion with Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane on the Stick To Football Podcast on Sky Sports.
“What sports event in the world that you would like to go and watch that you’ve not watched. What about football derbies that you have not been to globally?” Neville asked Keane and Wright.
“River Plate, Boca [Juniors] that would be a good one,” Wright said, selecting the SuperClasico between Argentina’s top two, before the biggest match in Mzansi got high praise from him.
“You know what as well, what I would love to see is the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in South Africa. It is unbelievable,” he added.
When is the next Soweto Derby?
That was a major statement of endorsement from the 1997-98 Premier League winner, who was one of the most revered strikers in the English top flight.
Wright can perhaps start planning for a trip to South Africa now as there are two Soweto Derbies to be played in a space of seven days next month.
Chiefs host Pirates in the PSL on May 3, looking to avenge the 1-0 loss suffered to the Buccaneers in February, before the big one, when the two sides clash in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10, where Amakhosi are looking to end their 10-year trophy drought, while the Sea Robbers seek an unprecedented third straight title.
