Sports News

Kaizer Chiefs will play host to long-standing rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby this Saturday, providing yet another opportunity for players to etch their names into the history books, possibly by scoring the decisive goal.

It is widely acknowledged that Pule ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, a legend of Kaizer Chiefs, holds the record for the most goals in Soweto Derby history with an impressive tally of 19 strikes.

However, he believes that in the modern game, accumulating such a high goal count would likely result in a swift departure from the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Since the establishment of the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1985, the highest goal-scoring record in the last 38 years stands at six goals, a feat accomplished twice by two renowned strikers of the past.

In 1996, Jerry Sikhosana scored a hat-trick for Orlando Pirates in a 4-1 Bob Save Super Bowl semifinal, marking the last occasion a player achieved a treble in a Derby encounter.

He continued his goal-scoring prowess with additional goals in the 1996/97 and 1997/98 league seasons, and Pirates remained unbeaten when he found the net.

For Kaizer Chiefs, Fani Madida also registered six goals, spanning from his first in 1987 to his second in 1991, with a notable contribution of two goals in the 1987 campaign and a brace in a 3-2 victory during the 1992 Coca-Cola Cup first round.

These two players lead the goal-scoring charts in the NSL era, ahead of iconic figures like Doctor Khumalo, Marks Maponyane, and the contemporary star Thembinkosi Lorch.

Lorch, with the potential to claim the overall crown, might even add to his tally in the upcoming weekend's match.

Khumalo's six-year goal-scoring stint between 1987 and 1993, surprisingly, did not yield more goals. Maponyane, who played for both Chiefs and Pirates, scored four for Chiefs and one for Pirates, showcasing his versatility in crossing the Soweto divide.

Lorch, despite grappling with persistent injury issues, has been a persistent challenge for Chiefs in recent years. Now back in the team and in top form, he aims to make a significant impact.

Several players have notched up four Derby goals since 1985, including legendary figures such as Shane MacGregor, Basil Steenkamp, and Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Additionally, former Pirates star Lesley Manyathela, tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 21, would likely have added substantially to his three derby goals if not for his untimely demise.

SOWETO DERBY GOALSCORERS SINCE 1985

6 goals – Fani Madida (Kaizer Chiefs), Jerry Sikhosana (Orlando Pirates)

5 – Doctor Khumalo (Kaizer Chiefs), Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Marks Maponyane (Kaizer Chiefs/Orlando Pirates)

4 – Daniel Cardoso (Kaizer Chiefs), Leonardo Castro (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs), Shane MacGregor (Kaizer Chiefs), Basil Steenkamp (Orlando Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Scara Thindwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates)

3 – Albert Bwalya (Kaizer Chiefs), Denis Lota (Orlando Pirates), Lesley Manyathela (Orlando Pirates), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates), Knowledge Musona (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Kaizer Chiefs)