Ke nako: We are ready

As the bus drew closer to what sounded like an overcrowded beehive my heart started beating against my chest harder than ever before. The noise got louder and louder and my eyes were almost shattered by the bright colours. Next stop, over the newly kitted bus rapid system, Orlando Stadium. The commuters roared with excitement
It was time.

Last Saturday was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I had the honour of the seeing the 3rd biggest football derby in the world at the lions den of both support groups. This would be the biggest sporting event I have ever been too. It had been 20 years since the Derby last took place in Soweto and the anticipation was mind blowing Orlando Pirates versus Kaizer Chiefs at the home of Soccer, Orlando Stadium. It would be the 150th meeting between these two teams and it couldn’t get much better than that.

The history of this event is such an interesting one few could get away from the wonderful rivalry and respect both these teams have for each other. Kaizer chiefs known as the golden boys actually grew out of Orlando Pirates. In 1970 a very talented pirate’s player named Kaizer Motaung was unhappy as to how the club was being managed and so took six other disgruntled Pirates players and a few boys from the streets and started what is now the biggest club in SA, Kaizer Chiefs.



I was slightly nervous to leave the bus as I realised how crazy this was going to be 46000 fans lining the grand stands with pure passion for the game and their respective clubs and me. 40 minutes before game time and already the stadium was packed to the rafters.

You couldn’t even hear yourself think there was so much noise from songs, to Vuvuzelas to sirens powered by car batteries it was all happening. This was South African passion and atmosphere at its best.

With 214 days to go until Africa’s first world cup I felt very comfortable that it was going to be a success. There was not one incident, the police presence was brilliant, the fans were well behaved and the transport into and out of the stadium was first world. The only thing we need now is a striker in South African football

Final score

Orlando Pirates 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs



Andrew “Proudly South African” Levy