It has been 10 years since the Soweto Derby was played as a top-of-the-table clash, which has suggested that the spectacle has lost its spark in terms of relevance and consequence. However, ahead of the latest instalment of the Derby, Orlando Pirates captain Thapelo Xoki shares his thoughts on why it remains one of the biggest games in Africa.
Read: Zamalek To Revisit Pitso Interest?
Chiefs' search for league glory is currently in its eighth year. That of their bitter rivals Pirates has lasted for over 10 years with Mamelodi Sundowns establishing themselves as the dominant force where the league is concerned having won eight of the last 10 league titles on offer.
While it still attracts the multitudes – the 80 000 tickets sold for Saturday's match an indication of that – it has very little significance apart from the bragging rights of whether Soweto would be black and gold or black and white for the next few days.
Currently occupying 7th and 10th positions respectively Chiefs and Pirates have a lot of ground to make up on Sundowns, but despite that, Xoki feels the match has never lost its significance, particularly to the fans.
"We all watched the derby when we were kids, so to be here representing our clubs and not think that it's a big thing to South Africans, it's gonna be an injustice to our supporters. It's still a big game regardless of what anyone says. Yes, the teams sometimes are not in good moments, it happens, it's the cycle of football, sometimes that happens but it will never change!" he told journalists at the Soweto Derby press conference.
"These are two of the best teams and two of the greatest teams in Africa and we have to make sure we play our part in making the history better, so we'll never take it lightly and think that it's just another game," he continued.
The Soweto Derby takes place on Saturday, 11 November and kicks off at 3 pm.
Read: Nabi Interested In Chiefs Player?
