This Saturday, the FNB Stadium will once again become the epicentre of this fierce rivalry as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates lock horns in a Betway Premiership encounter of monumental significance.

Showmax, your destination for witnessing every heart-stopping moment, recently delved into the derby’s mystique with Kaizer Chiefs legend Kenny Niemach, whose words ignite the anticipation for this weekend’s showdown.

“Before the whistle has even been blown for kick-off,” Niemach recalls, his voice imbued with the electric memory, “you feel the magnitude of the occasion, the build-up, the history.”

He paints a vivid picture of the sensory overload that engulfs a player stepping onto that hallowed ground.

“The moment you set foot onto that ground, you have to shut everything off because you are feeling so many different emotions. You know you have to raise your game, you know how important it is for you and your fans to walk off that pitch victorious, so psychologically, you need to get yourself into gear. The other thing you’ll notice is that the derby is a sea of colour, a sea of emotion, excitement, and expectation. These are things you feeling immediately before the game.”

The pressure cooker atmosphere of the Soweto Derby distinguishes it from any other league fixture, Niemach emphasises.

“The issue of pressure is going to be there. If you are going to be playing for the three big clubs in South Africa, in Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, or Mamelodi Sundowns, there are big expectations. When they sign you, they expect performances from you week in and week out. The moment you’re not performing, you discover how fickle a fan base can be, because now you are at the mercy of insults and substitution attempts. So psychologically you need to bring it, even if you don’t bring it for all 90 minutes, you have to have a moment in the game, but let that moment be a decisive moment. You don’t have to be on top for 90 minutes, that’s impossible, but you need to pitch up and give a moment so you can go home satisfied.”

For Niemach, one derby moment remains indelibly etched in his memory, a testament to the fixture’s profound impact. “In fact, I think my first game for Kaizer Chiefs was against Orlando Pirates in a derby. I scored a header in that game, it was a fabulous header. But I think what struck me the most about the game was the amount of excitement in the build-up to the game.

“Also, when I stepped onto the pitch, I couldn’t hear a player that was just two metres away because there were around 100 000 fans in the stadium and it was an electric atmosphere. All these people pitched up to the stadium, and there is this weight of expectation on your shoulders.

“Chiefs hadn’t beaten Pirates for a while, so the expectation on us as Chiefs players was really high. Thankfully I pitched up and scored this goal that was crossed by Arthur Zwane. I just wish he would have given me more opportunities like that [laughs] because that feeling was extraordinary.”

As the countdown to Saturday intensifies, Niemach offers a candid assessment of Kaizer Chiefs’ current form.

“Chiefs at this time are struggling to find form, and are struggling to find consistency. They have good games and they have bad games. They need to start to put together a string of good performances and be a little bit more consistent. This will take a lot of pressure off the coach and management, then they can start to really play. The manager has gotten them to play good football, the build-up looks good, just that their transitions are not quick enough. If the transitions in the final third are faster, more opportunities will be created.”

Conversely, Niemach acknowledges the impressive form of their rivals.

“Pirates have been a lot easier on the eye going forward. They are an exciting team to watch. They have individual players that are willing to take responsibility, and who are not afraid of the one-on-one situations, and even sometimes two against one situations. Their transitions are also a lot quicker in the final third. They are a better team and better prepared for 3 May. But you never know between these two teams.

“Sometimes one goal can be enough to win the game. But that is certainly not what we want to see as football fans. We want to see more than one goal, we want to see both sides scoring, because they need to attack each other. It needs to be exciting. It can’t be a reserved game where players hold back. You want every player on the front foot, and the teams should set up their stalls to play attacking football. We don’t want a cagey affair, we don’t want any minister of defence locking up the game and sitting deep with the low block. It makes it uninteresting. We need pace, speed and finishing.”

Niemach’s advice to the Kaizer Chiefs players is steeped in the historical weight of the occasion.

“The advice I would give to the Chiefs players is that history alone should tell you about the size and magnitude of the occasion. But besides that, you got to dig deep into the history and culture of the club, so that when you step out onto that pitch, you understand the weight that it carries. Go out there and give your best performance.

“At the same time, go out and enjoy the occasions and make yourself present on the pitch, show your character and class. You are on the pitch because one of the best clubs in the country entrust you with your football ability. You need to perform and show your value and quality.”

Despite his unwavering loyalty to the Amakhosi, Niemach offers a pragmatic prediction based on current form.

“Based on current form, I am going to go with Pirates. Also, the fact that you find them playing at a higher level in the Champions League, one would suspect that they would have a little more in the tank. Then again, it’s a rivalry so it’s super hard to call. I am just hoping for some goals, but I’m leaning towards Pirates.

“At the current moment Pirates are better prepared. I suspect they will win it. I also believe that the Pirates coach has got a bit of nouse about him, but his tactical acumen will be stretched in this game.”

As the final hours tick down to Saturday’s colossal encounter, the anticipation reaches fever pitch.

Will Kaizer Chiefs summon a performance of resilience and triumph against the odds? Or will Orlando Pirates’ current ascendancy see them claim bragging rights in this iconic derby?

One thing is undeniable: the FNB Stadium will be a cauldron of fervent passion, a breathtaking spectacle of skill and emotion, all ready to unfold live on Showmax.

After a goalless first leg in Johannesburg, both sides came out determined at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium, and it was Pirates who struck first when Relebohile Mofokeng slotted home from close range midway through the first half.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Pyramids levelled just before half-time, with Fiston Mayele pouncing on a cross from Mostafa Fathi to restore parity.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued after the break, and Pirates regained the advantage when Mohau Nkota fired in a superb low drive on 52 minutes.

Yet the Egyptian side showed their resolve in front of their home fans. Ramadan Sobhi rose highest to meet a Mohamed Chibi cross, heading past Sipho Chaine to make it 2-2 just moments later.

The decisive moment came with just six minutes remaining.

After a goalmouth scramble from a corner, Mayele reacted quickest, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the home faithful.

Despite late pressure from the South African visitors, including efforts from Tshegofatso Mabasa and Relebohile Mofokeng, Pyramids held on to secure a famous win and extend their remarkable unbeaten home record to 23 matches.

The result means Pyramids will face Mamelodi Sundowns — who earlier eliminated Al Ahly on away goals — in what promises to be a mouth-watering final.

For Orlando Pirates, it was a brave effort but one that ultimately fell short, ending their hopes of a second CAF Champions League title.

The 28-year-old will assist the new captain, Innocent Maela, following the departure of the previous skipper, Happy Jele.

Ofori joined Orlando Pirates from Maritzburg United in October 2020 and has been a key figure for the club, appearing in 42 matches across all competitions, conceding 28 goals, and keeping 21 clean sheets.

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He was also instrumental in helping the team progress to the final of last season’s CAF Confederation Cup where they lost on penalties to Moroccan side RS Berkane.

Ofori, who is a former Wa All-Stars shot-stopper and Ghana Premier League winner, is expected to cut Ghana’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation plus extra time, and it was the Moroccans who had the penalty luck over their South African counterparts.

Pirates forward Thembinkosi Lorch suffered the extremes of two emotions, scoring a 117th minute equalizer, and then stepping up to see his penalty saved in the shootout.

He was the only one who missed on Pirates’ side while Berkane converted all their five kicks through Hamza El Moussaoui, Youssef Zghoudi, Ismail Mokadem, Issoufou Dayo and Brahim El Bahraoui who scored the winner.

Happy Jele scored the first for Pirates before Lorch, who was also named man of the match, missed the second. Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thabang Monare and goalkeeper Richard Ofori scored the subsequent three, but Berkane didn’t miss any and took the honors.

The game was forced into penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, where Pirates dominated and had most of the scoring opportunities. The game stood goalless after 90 minutes, forcing it into an extra 30.

Seven minutes into the first period of added time, Berkane who hadn’t created much all game had their best chance to score, and they took it.

Referee Janny Sikazwe visited the pitch-side monitor to check on a foul by substitute Monare on Mokadem from a corner and the Pirates man was adjudged to have swept down Mokadem inside the box.

Youssef El Fahli stepped forward and with ice cold feet sent Ofori the wrong way to net his fifth goal of the campaign.

Pirates fought to get themselves back into contention and piled in the pressure. They were rewarded for their hunger three minutes to the end through a bizarre goal by Lorch.

The Pirates forward had intended to play a pass inside the box as they pushed Berkane into their own area. However, his intended pass was missed by everyone and trickled into the bottom right of Akbi Hamiani’s goal.

In regulation time, Pirates had the chances and should have wrapped up the game early were they clinical enough.

As early as the third minute of the game, they had a glorious opportunity when Goodman Mosele sent Dean Hotto through on goal with a peach of a through pass, but the winger couldn’t get a strong curl on the ball with space ahead of him.

Mosele created another chance in the 18th minute when he whipped a cross from the right, but skipper Happy Jele’s header looped just over the target.

Their top scorer Bandile Shandu then forced Berkane keeper Hamiani to a neat save in the 33rd minute, his low sweep from the edge of the box being palmed away by a strong right hand from the shot stopper.

In the second half, Berkane somehow upped their attacking game but couldn’t thread in the shots at goal, Ofori not being busy for most of the game.

With no goals in regular time, the game had to go to an extra 30. It ended 1-1, and the winner was decided from 12 yards out.

Ofori joined the club from Maritzburg United on a three-year contract ahead of the new season.

The former Wa All Stars goalkeeper has been a long-term target for the Buccaneers since establishing himself as one of the leading stoppers in Africa with United and the Black Stars national team.

“I am very happy to be here. It is a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with the technical team,” he said upon his official unveiling.

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“I also look forward to meeting my new teammates and being part of this exciting new project,” he added.

He has featured 85 times in the South African top-flight, keeping 29 clean sheets whilst conceding 80 goals and is expected to assume the number one spot over Wayne Sandilands this season.

As part of the deal, left-back Tebogo Tlolane will return to ‘The Team of Choice’ on a season-long loan deal after enjoying a stint in KZN last season.