The eagerly awaited Soweto derby between rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs is upon us once again.
The two clubs will meet in Saturday, 25 February at FNB Stadium at 15:30. Both clubs are still fighting to finish at least in the top two in the DStv Premiership to at least secure a CAF Champions League spot.
A third place finish would also secure either team a place in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Here is a list of the top young performers in previous Soweto derbies as complied by the PSL.
KAIZER CHIEFS YOUNG APPEARANCES AT THE DERBY
Reeve Frosler
Frosler made his debut as a 21-year-old following his move from BidVest Wits to Chiefs in 2019. He played a major hand in helping Chiefs win the first two derbies he took part in, and then proved a match winner himself with a goal in a 2-1 success in the 2021/22 season. He has played in eight derbies in all, winning six of them.
Itumeleng Khune
Khune had only just turned 20 years old when he made his Soweto Derby debut in 2007, featuring in a 2-2 draw. He has gone on to make 27 Derby appearances.
Punch Masenamela
Masenamela made his derby debut aged 23 in February 2010 as the teams played to a goalless draw. He played seven Derby games in all, losing only once, which included that thumping win in the 2010 Telkom Knockout decider.
Knowledge Musona
Zimbabwe striker Musona had only just turned 19 when he played in his first Derby game in October 2009. It was the following year that he hit his straps, scoring three times against The Buccaneers as he became their chief destroyer. In all he only lost two of his 11 Derby games.
Siyabonga Ngezana
Ngezana was 20 when he made his Derby bow in October 2017 and after initially struggling to get a win against Pirates, finally managed it at the seventh attempt in March 2021. That was also the last time he played in the fixture.
SOWETO DERBY ORLANDO PIRATES YOUNG DEBUTANTS
Andile Jali
Jali was 19-year-old when he played in his first Soweto Derby game in October 2009. During a goalless draw in the league. He scored in one of the greatest Derby games of recent times as Pirates edged Chiefs 3-2 in 2012. In his four-and-a-half seasons with The Buccaneers, had three wins and three losses in 13 games against Chiefs.
HAPPY JELE
Jele made his derby debut as a 21-year-old in 2008. He claimed a first win by helping Pirates to the 2010 MTN8 final as they beat Chiefs 1-0 in the second leg of their semifinal. In all, he made 29 Derby appearances, winning nine and losing seven to go with 13 draws.
Zakhele Lepasa
Lepasa had already hurt Chiefs in the colours of TS Galaxy when he scored on his Soweto Derby debut at the age of 23, having beaten the Amakhosi in the Nedbank Cup while on loan at the second-tier side in 2019. He netted the first goal for Chiefs in a comprehensive 3-0 MTN8 semifinal, first leg win for Pirates as they romped through to the final and lifted the trophy.
Thembinkosi Lorch
Lorch was perhaps not quite a youngster when he made his Pirates debut at the age of 24 but has had such an impact in the Derby that he deserves a mention. His bow in the fixture was a 1-1 draw in March 2017. He has won five and drawn four of his 12 Derby games since then, scoring five goals in the process. No-one has more goals for Pirates against Chiefs over the same period. That strike-rate also goes with a number of assists.
Oupa Manyisa
Manyisa was 22 when he made his Derby debut as Chiefs defeated his Pirates side 3-0 in the final of the Telkom Knockout in 2010. He would get some revenge the following year as he scored the only goal in the 2011 MTN8 final. This is when The Buccaneers saw off their old rivals.
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*Compiled by the Premier Soccer League
