Kaizer Chiefs’ derby draw celebration sparks debate over Soweto rivalry

Kaizer Chiefs’ reaction to their 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates has renewed criticism that the intensity of the Soweto Derby is being lost.

A behind-the-scenes episode of Giants, the SuperSport documentary series covering both clubs, showed Chiefs players celebrating in their dressing room after the latest meeting between the two sides. The programme aired on Sunday and featured discussion of the derby.

Kaizer Chiefs had taken the lead in the second half through Pule Mmodi, but Kamohelo Sebelebele equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

After the match, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou questioned why their opponents appeared pleased with a point. Pirates were challenging for the league title at the time and viewed the result as two points dropped.

“It seems like the draw was a fantastic result for them, for such a big club,” Ouaddou said. “I think they should be disappointed like us because tonight, I have the feeling that we lost two points, and I think them as well, they should have this feeling.

“But I saw that they were very happy with one point.”

The documentary footage has since prompted further debate among supporters, with the mood inside the Chiefs dressing room contrasting with Pirates’ disappointment.

‘This is killing the spirit of the derby’

Masilo Machaka, a prominent Kaizer Chiefs supporter, said he understood the frustration of fans who felt the players should not have celebrated a draw.

“I am also in support of those asking why the players celebrated a draw like that. Because even we as fans never celebrate a draw,” Machaka told KickOff.

He said the reaction would once have been very different, with players more likely to focus on missed chances and demand better from one another.

“But I guess times have changed because before, guys were emotional about it and you would find them telling each other after the game, ‘We should have scored one or two before half-time.’ They were fighting instead of celebrating.

“Now this is killing the spirit of the derby.

“We as fans are fighting among each other and then they are celebrating. It would be nice if they were to come out and say why they celebrated a draw. The answer must come from them, not us, so that we get to understand.”

Machaka added that a draw should not be treated as an achievement in a fixture that carries such significance for both clubs and their supporters.

“A Bafana Bafana call-up is something to celebrate, for example, but a draw? Even though Pirates are the better team and have been doing well, any team that comes out of a derby with a draw should be disappointed because when they meet, it is the pride of Gauteng,” he said.

“This is a team that Kaizer Motaung left to form his own team… all these things come into it. That is why tickets were sold out within hours.”

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will meet again in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Saturday at 15:30.