Derby day!!!!! These words were enough to declare Soweto stand still, where friends turned into foes and family members went separate ways and donned theyre team colours and unless the score was a draw, there would be no conversation between a man and a wife if someone lost a match.
The factories and work places of the millions of mainly black South African workers will reflect on the game and the bragging rights will remain for months on end until they met again! In Soweto, you were either Chiefs or Pirates, anything in between was not really of any "importance." The Soweto derby was rated amongst the most fierce in the world.
Fast forward to 2012, the clubs have joint commercial sponsors. The teams meet atleast 4 times a year, the Chairmen of the teams, contrary to past beliefs are actually best friends. The once fierce derby has now become a meeting of friends and the supporters can sing and dance together in the same side of the stands (Yes, the same side!!!).
Question begs, does the lack of intensity do SA soccer any favours? I am not so sure.......
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