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Soweto derby offers key lessons for Kariakoo rivalry
What you need to know:
- On May 3, 2025, Kaizer Chiefs will host long-time rivals Orlando Pirates in what is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying football derbies on the continent.
Dar es Salaam. If you are a Yanga or Simba fan used to buying your match ticket on the day of the game, especially for the high-octane Kariakoo Derby, then South Africa’s Soweto Derby might offer a lesson in preparation and fan discipline.
On May 3, 2025, Kaizer Chiefs will host long-time rivals Orlando Pirates in what is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying football derbies on the continent.
Known for its rich history and passionate following, the Soweto Derby continues to set the pace—and this year is no different.
Ticket sales for the match opened on April 8 and were completely sold out by April 19—just 13 days later—without any press conference, loudspeaker announcements, or media campaigns calling on fans to fill the stadium. All it took was a single Instagram post from Kaizer Chiefs.
The match will be played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Africa’s largest stadium, with a seating capacity of 94,736. The speed and manner in which tickets sold out is a sharp contrast to the common scenes surrounding the Kariakoo Derby, where many fans still rely on buying tickets on matchday and often require persuasion from club officials to turn up in numbers.
Interestingly, Kaizer Chiefs managed to sell out despite having lost their last two derbies against Pirates, including a 1–0 loss in their most recent encounter. Their recent 2–1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final, under former Yanga coach Nasreddine Nabi, may have sparked renewed excitement—but fans were already buying tickets well before that result.
In contrast, Kariakoo Derby ticket sales often depend heavily on matchday momentum, recent form, or fan mobilisation efforts, sometimes even involving club spokespersons or promotional vehicles blaring through neighbourhoods.
Kaizer Chiefs’ fans, however, needed no prompting. Even as demand outstripped supply, many South African fans began searching for resale tickets, with some ready to pay inflated prices just to be inside the stadium on the big day.
While the Soweto Derby has long been a benchmark fixture in African football, its efficient ticketing model and unwavering fan support offer valuable lessons for local derbies across the continent—including Tanzania’s own Kariakoo showdown.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there—Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are set to meet again just a week later on May 10 in the Nedbank Cup final, ensuring that the rivalry remains as fierce and relevant as ever.
