Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 22, 2024 at 8:55 AM

Get the best of Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs. Which team will get the best out of the other? The two are South Africa's most successful teams winning many accolades and titles. Now let us look into Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs' history.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?
Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs logos. Photo: @TiyiBevhula
Source: Twitter

The PSL is one of the best Leagues in Africa, so there is a definite rivalry. However, the best of them comes between the Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Both clubs have some of the best players in Africa, having won many titles, so it is justified if you asked which team is the best between the Chiefs and Pirates. So come with us on this journey as we look at Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs head to head.

Profile summary

  • Teams: Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs
  • Games Played: 175
  • Most wins: Kaizer Chiefs
  • Biggest win: 7-3 Chiefs
  • Total goals: 412
  • Most goals: Kaizer Chiefs
  • Top scorer: Patrick Ntsoelengoe( 19)
  • Fastest goal: 19 seconds Mabhuti Khenyeza

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer chiefs derby

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs Soweto derby is usually one of the most entertaining and anticipated football matches in South Africa. But, which team is the best between the Chiefs and Pirates?

The rivalry came about because former Orlando Pirates star Motaung formed the Amakhosi. So, how many games did Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates play? The teams have met a record 175 times in all competitions. Their first clash was on 24th January 1970.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?
Kaizer Chiefs players celebrate lifting the black Label Cup in 2013. Photo: Lefty Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

I bet you are asking which team is winning between the Chiefs and Pirates. In the 175 games the teams have played, the Amakhosi have the upper hand, winning 71 games. The Bucs have only managed 44 wins with 54 draws. Five of their games have been abandoned games hence were not played. The Amakhosi have scored 223 goals in their meetings, while the Bucs have scored 189 goals.

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs' record appearances in the league are 102, with the Amakhosi having the upper hand, winning 43 of the meetings and drawing 36. The Bucs have won just 23 of their league meetings. The derby is named the 'El Kasico'. So, did the Chiefs beat the Pirates 24-1? No, the derby has never had such a goal difference. The biggest win ever was 7-3 when the Amakhosi beat the Pirates in 1972.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer chiefs trophies

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?
Kaizer Chiefs celebrating after winning the Black Label Cup after beating Orlando Pirates. Photo: Lefty Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

The Amakhosi have won 58 trophies, just 26 more than their rivals. Kaizer Chiefs have won the following trophies:

  • The PSL 4 times
  • The League cup 2 times
  • The Nedbank Cup 13 times
  • The 8 Cup 15 times
  • Telkom Knockout 13 times
  • National Soccer League 3 times
  • African Cup Winners Cup once
  • National Professional Soccer League 5 times
  • The Black Label cup once
  • The Ultra Cup once

The Pirates have won the following trophies:

  • The PSL four times
  • The CAF Champions League once
  • The Nedbank Cup 8 times
  • The League Cup once
  • The CAF Supercup once
  • The 8 Cup 10 times
  • Telkom Knockout once
  • National Soccer League once
  • National Professional Soccer League four times
  • The Black label Cup once

We can see that the debate on Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs Premier Soccer League titles is tied, but the Amakhosi take the crown overall.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?
Orlando Pirates players celebrate winning the PSL in 2011. Photo: Samuel Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs squad

The current Orlando Pirates squad consists of:

  • Wayne Sandilands
  • Richard Ofori
  • Kopano Thuntsane
  • Siyabonga Mpontshane
  • Elson Sithole
  • James Monyane
  • Happy Jele
  • Ntsikelelo Nyauza
  • Thulani Hlatshwayo
  • Bongani Sam
  • Innocent Maela
  • Paseka Mako
  • Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama
  • Abel Mabaso
  • Olisa Mabaso
  • Thembinkosi Lorch
  • Ben Motshwari
  • Siphesihle Ndlovu
  • Deon Hotto
  • Collins Makgaka
  • Fortune Makaringe
  • Thabang Monare
  • Wayde Jooste

The 2021/2022 Kaizer Chiefs squad:

  • Brandon Peterson
  • Itumeleng Khune
  • Daniel Akpeyi
  • Bruce Bvuma
  • Thabo Mokoena
  • Ramahlwe Mphahlele
  • Eric Mathoho
  • Daniel Cardoso
  • Happy Mashiane
  • Sfiso Hlanti
  • Sibusiso Mabiliso
  • Njabulo Ngcobo
  • Austine Dube
  • Siyabonga Ngezana
  • Siphosakhe Ntiyantiya
  • Reeve Frosler
  • Njabulo Blom
  • Aden Mccarthy
  • Teddy Akumu
  • Kearyn Baccus
  • Keagan Dolly
  • Khama Billiat
  • Nkosungiphile Ngcobo
  • Cole Alexander
  • Lebogang Manyama
  • Phathutshedzo Nange
  • Dumisani Zuma
  • Radebe Sabelo
  • Mduduzi Shabalala
  • Keletso Sifama
  • Lazarus Kambole
  • Leonardo Castro
  • Samir Nurkovic
  • Kgaogelo Sekgota
  • Bernard Parker
  • Sibusiso Milazi

Both teams have a mixture of both well experienced and younger players.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer chiefs coach

The team coaches are Mandla Ncikazi for the Pirates and Stuart Baxter for the Amakhosi. Mandla Ncikazi has not won any trophies so far but has been among the coaching staff in three clubs. Stuart Baxter has won the Nedbank Cup thrice, the MTN 8 Cup once, and was the South African Champion twice.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs: which is the best team in South Africa?
Stuart Baxter, Kaizer Chiefs' head coach, offers instructions during a match. Photo: Steve Haag
Source: Getty Images

Which team has the most fans in South Africa?

The Kaizer Chiefs is the club with the most fans in South Africa. They attract over 14,000 fans at their home league games at the FNB stadium. Their highest attendance ever was 14,873, which was the second-most in the league since it was started. And if you are wondering which South African team is the most successful, it is the Amakhosi.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates Black Label Cup 2021

The two teams had a dramatic match which ended 0-0 during regulation time. The Chiefs beat the Pirates 4-3 on penalties to clinch the Black Label title. During the game, the Pirates' keeper saved Daniel Cardoso's penalty.

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs is one of the most anticipated derbies on the continent. The teams have met head to head several times, with the Amakhosi having the upper hand. The Amakhosi have also won more trophies.

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Sospeter Itolondo
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