The excitement is building for yet another thrilling Soweto Derby between two of South Africa’s biggest football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

As always, the stakes are high, and both teams will be looking to claim bragging rights in what is one of the most intense rivalries in African football.

But this time, Chiefs may have one player to fear above all.

Recent History Shows Pirates Have the Upper Hand

In recent matchups, Orlando Pirates have managed to get the better of Kaizer Chiefs.

The Buccaneers have been victorious in the last three encounters between the two sides across all competitions.

This includes their impressive 3-2 win in the league, where the star of the show was none other than Monnapule Saleng, who netted a brace off the bench.

This victory ended a surprising five-match winning streak for Chiefs in Soweto Derby league encounters.

The two teams will lock horns again on February 1, 2025, at Orlando Stadium, and both sets of fans are eagerly awaiting another clash.

The Mysterious Absence of Monnapule Saleng

Monnapule Saleng, the hero of the last derby, has been notably absent from recent training sessions and matchday squads.

His absence has sparked a media frenzy, with fans and pundits speculating about what might be happening with the 26-year-old winger.

While “private reasons” have been cited by the club, Saleng’s lack of appearances in competitive matches this year has only fueled the curiosity.

So far in the current campaign, he has only made three appearances in the Betway Premiership, scoring two goals. However, he hasn’t featured for Pirates at all in 2025, raising questions about his future with the team.

Mdu Shabalala’s Unexpected Pirates Roots

On the other side of the rivalry, Kaizer Chiefs’ young star Mduduzi “Mdu” Shabalala revealed an interesting twist to the narrative.

The 20-year-old Chiefs attacker admitted that he grew up as an Orlando Pirates fan, even idolizing players like Thembinkosi Lorch.

Despite his past admiration for Pirates, Shabalala has fully embraced his role at Kaizer Chiefs, saying that now, he will “die a Chiefs fan.”

His journey from a Pirates supporter to a Chiefs player is a testament to how quickly allegiances can change in football, especially when it comes to the fierce rivalry that is the Soweto Derby.

Shabalala reminisced about his first Soweto Derby, where he saw Chiefs leading 1-0 before Lorch’s equalizer.

With Lorch now playing for Sundowns, Shabalala sees this as an opportunity to make his own mark on this iconic fixture.

Can Pirates Beat Kaizer Chiefs Again?

With the stage set and emotions running high, the question remains: will Orlando Pirates continue their recent dominance over Kaizer Chiefs in the upcoming derby? Fans from both sides will be eagerly watching as the two teams battle for supremacy in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.

What do you think? Will Pirates claim another victory, or will Chiefs bounce back to assert their dominance? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below or reaching out through our social media channels.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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