Who can add their name to Soweto Derby scorers list?

by Staff Reporter

Friday Nov 01, 2019. 14:00

Kaizer Chiefs clash with Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday, another chapter in the rich history between the two sides.

It is a fixture that used to be filled with goals, but not so much anymore as defences come tighter and the fear of losing snaffles innovation.

The last 10 Soweto derbies have produced just 18 goals, one less than the late Pule ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe’s record of goals in the tussle between the Soweto giants.

His total of 19 goals for Chiefs in a span of 17 years playing in the derby will likely never be broken given how strikers these days find it so tough to find the net.

Ntsoelengoe was there at the start of the rivalry with two goals in the very first game between the two clubs in January 1970, when Pirates won 6-4, and kept up his scoring habits right through to the 1982 Mainstay Cup semifinal, where Chiefs triumphed 2-1.

The crafty playmaker competed for another six years in the derby, making his last appearance in 1988 for a remarkable 18 years dominating.

His tally is eight more than three players tied on 11 goals – Nelson ‘Teenage’ Dladla, Abednigo ‘Shaka’ Ngcobo and Marks Maponyane, who scored for both sides in the derby.

Maponyane is one of six players who have netted for both teams in the derby. He scored 10 times for Chiefs and once he had defected and joined Pirates, got one more derby strike.

Pirates’ top all-time scorer remains Jomo Sono with nine, two ahead of Alfred ‘Russia’ Jacobs and MacDonald Skosana, all from the same era.

In total there have been 390 derby goals in official league and cup encounters. Chiefs have netted 213 while Pirates have 177 in 166 previous meetings.