Custodians of the Soweto Derby

Goalkeeping heroes have been a large part of the Soweto derby, and played a prominent start almost from the start of the rivalry between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, which continues on Saturday when they meet in the Betway Premiership in front of some 80 000 at Soccer City (live on SuperSport).

It was in the third derby in 1971, in the Old Dutch Champion of Champions semifinal, that the two clubs produced a piece of history when the two opposing goalkeeper scored for their respective sides from the penalty spot. … and both before halftime. First it was Joseph ‘Banks’ Setlhodi and then Pirates’ keeper Simon Mathebela.

Setlhodi, whose nickname came from the 1966 England World Cup winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, was Chiefs’ regular goalkeeper for almost a decade and together with his Pirates counterpart Patson ‘Sparks’ Banda brought the keepers into the spotlight. Banda signed for Pirates in early 1972.

Thereafter followed many more charismatic ‘keepers who kept fans enthralled with their antics and made saves that marked them out among the best of their respective era.

Chiefs can boast the likes of Peter Bala’c, William Shongwe, Gary Bailey, Brian Baloyi and Itumeleng Khune as firm fan favourites over the years while Pirates’ goalkeeping hall of fame is led by Innocent Mayoyo, Okpara Williams and Senzo Meyiwa.

Nigerian Williams, who was in goal when Pirates won the African Champions Cup in 1985, played 375 games for the Pirates in a long and loyal club career. It used to be the club’s record number of appearances before recently being broken by Happy Jele .

The overriding memory of Meyiwa is not of a diving save or leaping jump to clasp the ball, but rather an exultant run; his arms spread open embracing success as he celebrated with his customary glee and enthusiasm.

There were few in the game who shared the abundant energy and unbridled delight that the 27-year-old goalkeeper brought to his job before being so cruelly cut down in his prime, killed him in a botched robbery that so shocked a nation sadly used to criminal excess.

Banda was the trail blazer with his eccentric approach and flamboyant style and he was among the first goalkeepers to feature in a mix race South African side in the Apartheid era.

Setlhodi was his great rival in the National Professional Soccer League era and the spot kick taker for Chiefs. He scored five derby goals from the penalty spot.

Bala’c, Shongwe and Bailey were all part of Chiefs’ team that swept the board in the 1980s and early 90s. Bailey had played at Manchester United where a knee injury curtailed his career but he came out of retirement in South Africa, where he had grown up.

Baloyi played 12 seasons with Chiefs before a surprise defection to Mamelodi Sundowns and Khune became South Afriva’s most capped goalkeeper (91) during 17 seasons at Chiefs, where he played 368 games including one of last season’s two derbies.