Soweto Derby youngsters set to shine

There will be several of South Africa’s most promising young players on display when Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in the 181st Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Catch the action live on SS PSL, DStv Compact and SS Variety 4 (Access).

Both sides have exciting young talents that can light up the game and prove the match-winners as they thrill the fans with their exuberance of youth.

WANDILE DUBA (KAIZER CHIEFS)

Age: 20

Duba is already in his third season in the Chiefs first team, but has emerged as a key attacking player for them this campaign with four goals in 17 appearances (15 starts) in all competitions. There will be a concern over his fitness after he limped out of the 4-0 Nedbank Cup win over Free Agents on Sunday, and to lose his energy in attack would be a blow.

Duba made his debut in the 2022-23 season but this year he has cemented his place in the side. He played in last season’s 3-2 loss to Pirates, coming off the bench. He was superb for the Chiefs Diski Challenge side before his promotion to the first team in January 2023.

RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG (ORLANDO PIRATES)

Age: 20

The Golden Boy of South African football at the moment, left winger Mofokeng seems to have it all. With talent, confidence, work rate and ambition, he is a key attacking force for Pirates, perhaps even their most important player across the front line.

Mofokeng made his debut in the 2022-23 season but cemented his first team place last year and has carried that excellent form into this campaign. He played in both Pirates’ league derby wins last season, starting one and coming off the bench in the other. He was a star of Pirates’ Diski Challenge side, scoring nine goals before his elevation to the first team.

MOHAU NKOTA (ORLANDO PIRATES)

Age: 20

The right winger has burst onto the scene this season in the Betway Premiership but has long since caught the eye in the Buccaneers' Diski Challenge side, including some winners against Chiefs. He had been a star performer for Pirates’ reserves but has very quickly become a key component of the first team. He has four goals in 16 appearances (13 starts) in this campaign and is a likely starter in the derby.

MDUDUZI SHABALALA (KAIZER CHIEFS)

Age: 21

Shabalala is in his fourth season in the Betway Premiership, having made his debut as an 18-year-old in May 2022. He became a regular in the side from the next season and has not looked back. At the age of 21, he carried much of the attacking responsibility for the team and has four goals in 15 starts this campaign.

Shabalala has missed their previous two games with injury, so there will be a hope he can return. He has featured in three previous derby games, winning one and losing two. He played regularly for the Chiefs Diski Challenge side, even once he had been elevated to the first team.

MFUNDO VILAKAZI (KAIZER CHIEFS)

Age: 19

The teenager continues to develop at Chiefs, even if he has mostly been used off the bench in this campaign. Don’t be surprised to see him appear at some stage in the derby. He recently got the winning goal against Sekhukhune Unite, his second of the season after netting against Marumo Gallants earlier in the campaign. He made his debut last season, but got his first start in this one and has three starts and 13 substitute appearances. He made his Diski Challenge debut at the age of just 15 and was a star for the Chiefs side.

OTHER FORMER DISKI CHALLENGE PLAYERS

Orlando Pirates defender Thabiso Sesane was a stalwart of their Diski Challenge side before making the step up to the first team. He is likely to start in the heart of the Buccaneers defence. Midfielder Azola Tshobeni has been more sparingly used this campaign, but the former Diski Challenge prospect could also be in the mix.

Forward Boitumelo Radiopane is a former Diski Challenge Player of the Year and is now back at Pirates after a loan spell at Cape Town Spurs. He could feature off the bench. Chiefs’ Samkelo Zwane could be on the bench and is a former Diski Challenge star, as is defender Reeve Frosler, and midfielders Njabulo Blom and Yusuf Maart. Maart’s star showings actually came in the colours of Pirates.

For the Buccaneers, goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was one of the stars of the original Diski Challenge Shield back in 2013, though in the colours of Bloemfontein Celtic, and defender Thabiso Monyane was a hit as captain of the Buccaneers.