Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates share a Soweto address and a rivalry with one real cause: Chiefs exist because their founder walked away from Pirates.

Kaizer Motaung played for Pirates before leaving South Africa to turn professional with the Atlanta Chiefs in the old North American Soccer League. When he came home in 1970, he found the club in the middle of boardroom infighting. He built his own team instead, naming it after himself and the American side that gave him his start. That team became Kaizer Chiefs, and Pirates had a rival next door for the first time.

The first Soweto Derby kicked off on 24 January 1970, Pirates winning 1-0. Every meeting since carries the same weight, whichever side is having the better season.

Pirates carry the older history on their own. The club was founded in 1937 and became the first South African side to win the African Cup of Champions Clubs, beating ASEC Mimosas in 1995. Chiefs are Amakhosi, the Kings in Zulu. Pirates are the Buccaneers, or just Bucs.

An older fixture carried the Soweto Derby name first: Pirates against Moroka Swallows, played long before Chiefs existed. Fans now reach for the name only when Chiefs play Pirates.

Head-to-Head

Kaizer Chiefs 37 · Draws 32 · Orlando Pirates 50

Notable Meetings

• The first Soweto Derby kicked off on 24 January 1970. Orlando Pirates won 1-0.
• In the 1971-72 MTN8 final, Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs 10-1 after extra time at FNB Stadium.
• On 7 March 1998, Orlando Pirates won 5-1 at Orlando Stadium.
• Kaizer Chiefs won the 2014 MTN8 final 1-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 20 September 2014, in front of 50,000 fans.
• The two sides drew 0-0 after 90 minutes in the Telkom Knockout semi-final on 7 November 2015. Kaizer Chiefs went through 6-5 on penalties.
• On 28 February 2026, Orlando Pirates won 3-0 at FNB Stadium in front of 90,000 fans.

Questions