5 Biggest Derbies in African Club Football Ahead of Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs

• The latest instalment of the Soweto Derby takes place on Saturday
• Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates lock horns in another huge clash
• This tie remains one of the biggest derbies in African club football

African club football has some of the fiercest derbies.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs, one of the biggest derbies in Africa, takes place this weekend in the latest edition of the Soweto Derby.

Like the Soweto Derby, the stakes in derbies in African football are always high.

Pride, bragging rights and league position are key factors in derbies across the vast continent. Three points could separate Pirates and Chiefs by the time the fixture kicks off on Saturday evening.

None of these two sides have won the DStv premiership since 2015, mainly due to Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance. Masandawana have won the last six league titles.

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The Soweto Derby is just one of the many massive derbies in Africa and Sports Brief has listed the top 5.

Top 5 derbies in Africa

5. Dar Es Salaam Derby

Widely known as the Kariakoo Derby, these two Tanzanian sides are the biggest clubs in East Africa. It is contested between Young Africans (Yanga) and Simba. There's little to separate these two giants. Title wins and head-to-head are very close. Last season, Yanga clinched their 29th league title, while Simba are currently on 23 league titles, per FIFA. Despite their regional dominance, they are yet to taste success on the continental level.

4. Tunis Derby

This derby is contested by Club Africain and Esperance de Tunis. Mind you, this is not the biggest derby in North Africa. Esperance are the most successful club in Tunisia, and their game against their bitter rivals is considered a clash of socio-economic classes, with Esperance regarded as a club for the lower class.

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Esperance have made their mark in the CAF Champions League. They have won it four times, and only three clubs have won more. Moreover, these two teams play in the same stadium, the Stade Olympique de Rades.

3. Casablanca Derby

When Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca face off, the city comes to a standstill. It dates back to the 1950s, and the atmosphere during this game is frightening. Wydad (22) have won more league titles than Raja (12), but they have each won three CAF Champions League titles. However, Raja last won a continental crown in 1999, while Wydad won it in 2022.

2. Soweto Derby

This derby narrowly edges the Casablanca Derby. It pits Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Amakhosi are arguably the biggest club in South Africa duie to their fan base and history. Pirates have been around much longer than the Glamour Boys.

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These two sides have been overshadowed by Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the last six PSL titles. Chiefs last won a trophy in 2015, while Pirates last won a league title in 2012. The Buccaneers lifted the 2023 Nedbank Cup and the 1995 CAF Champions League. Overall, Chiefs are the most decorated club in South Africa.

1. Cairo Derby

Zamalek and Al Ahly is the biggest derby in African football. This fixture has led to violence many times before that games had to be played without fans. Last season, Al Ahly won their 43rd league title and 11th CAF Champions League crown.

Zamalek have won 14 league titles and five CAF Champions Leagues. Their last continental title came in 2002.

Chiefs' injury doubts ahead of derby

Sports Brief earlier listed possible Chiefs players missing the Soweto Derby on Saturday, March 9.

Defender, Edmilson Dove, and Edson Castillo are among the players who could miss the clash.

The Buccaneers won the first leg of the tie 1-0 at the FNB Stadium and would for another at home.