THERE are very few fixtures around the world that are bigger and have more history than the Soweto derby.
And another chapter will be written this weekend when Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates reignite their age-old rivalry.
The latest instalment of this derby, also known as the “El Kasico”, will take place at FNB Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm).
As the countdown to the biggest match in the Mzansi football calendar continues, SunSport takes a closer look at the derby in numbers.
The Soweto derby attracts some of the biggest crowds in world football, in fact, the last meeting between Chiefs and Pirates in November last year had a reported full house of 88 000 spectators.
The stadium is designed to carry 94 736 people, but due to safety consideration in the Soweto derby, organisers have limits as to how many tickets will be sold.
It will be another sold-out affair this weekend and the scores of supporters from both sides can be expecting plenty of goals.
In the past 168 Soweto derbies, Amakhosi have quenched their supporters’ thirst for goals no less than 218 times while the Buccaneers have netted 179 goals.
The Glamour Boys have the edge in this fixture with 68 victories under their belt while Bucs have won 41 times, 53 matches have been drawn.
In terms of appearances, former Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala holds the record with 31.
On the Pirates side, Happy Jele’s 27 appearances are the most by a Bucs player and will be looking to edge closer to Tshabalala on the all-time standings.
It remains to be seen whether Khune will extend his record this weekend, or Daniel Akpeyi will be between the goal posts.
The fastest goal in this fixture was scored by former Chiefs striker Mabhuti Khenyeza in Durban in November 2007.
Khenyeza controlled Shaun Bartlett throw in on his chest before turning and firing home a stunning volley into the top corner after just 19 seconds.
The all-time top scorer in the derby is Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, who scored 19 times for Chiefs, while Pirates’ top goal scorer in the derby is Jomo Sono with nine.
Interestingly, it has been 24 years since a hat-trick was scored in the Soweto derby.
The last player to net three times in the derby was Jerry Sikhosana during the Buccaneers 4-1 win over Amakhosi back in November 1996.
Only two other players have scored a hat-trick in the derby, Chiefs’ Ebson Muguyo (1975) and Pirates’ Henry Khumalo (1981).
Having already bagged hat tricks this season, Bucs’ Gabadinho Mhango and Chiefs’ Samir Nurkovic will be looking to join this elite group of players.
Stadium Management SA boss Berti Grobbelaar and Wayne Minnaar, Joburg Metro Police spokesman, said 800 police will be deployed to the venue and 1 000 security personnel will be maintaining peace.
NUMBERS
88 000 spectators in the last derby.
