Ugandan journalist Tabu Peter shares his first Soweto Derby experience after witnessing Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs play out a 1-1 draw at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
For 12 years, I have lived and breathed the beautiful game from the heart of Kampala. My mission has always been clear: telling the Ugandan football story through my YouTube channel, The Pitch Side. But as any storyteller knows, eventually, the horizon calls. After covering the game across Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania, I realised my African football pilgrimage wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the “Big One.”
During AFCON 2025, a dream took root: I was going to cover the Soweto Derby. On April 26, 2026, that dream didn’t just come true; it exploded in a sea of black, white, gold, and 88,000 chanting voices.
Expanding one’s wings across the continent is no small feat. It took months of planning, navigating visa processes, and securing air tickets. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to my Ugandan brothers Denis Onyango and Ismail Watenga, who made it easy for me. My South African colleagues, Lorenz Kohler, Mazola Molefe, Mthokozisi Dube and Velile Mnyandu also guided me through the accreditation maze.
The gravity of the event truly hit home before I even stepped into the stadium. I had the immense privilege of speaking with Coach Pitso Mosimane, who gave me a masterclass on the cultural weight of this fixture. By the time I finished a brief interview with Dube, the anticipation was vibrating in my bones.
SOWETO DERBY: A SPECTACLE LIKE NO OTHER
I’ve stood in the middle of the Kariakoo Derby in Dar es Salaam with 60,000 fans, and the energy there is legendary. But the FNB Stadium? This was a different stratosphere.
The sight of 88,000 fans, and likely more, was staggering. What struck me most as a visitor was the unique “peace” of the Soweto Derby. Seeing Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs fans sitting side by side, playfully bantering while calling for their respective heroes to find the net, is a lesson in sportsmanship that the rest of the continent should study.
The match itself lived up to the billing. When Pule Mmodi found the back of the net for Kaizer Chiefs, the “Calabash” didn’t just cheer; it erupted. You don’t just hear that kind of sound; you feel it in your chest.
But the Amabhakaniya wouldn’t be silenced for long. When Kamogelo Sebelebele scored the equaliser for Pirates, the stadium shifted gears again. The tactical battle on the pitch was mirrored by the sheer passion in the stands, making every minute feel like a heavyweight championship fight.
Beyond the goals and the glamour, I looked at the Derby through a professional lens. A few things stood out that I’ll be “preaching” back in Uganda.
Even when the game was delayed to ensure every fan could enter safely, the management was top-tier. The stadium looked world-class. Despite Pirates being the “home” team at the Chiefs’ usual stomping ground, the branding and atmosphere were seamless. The seating and logistics for a crowd of that magnitude were a testament to the growth of the South African game.
MY ONLY CONCERN ABOUT THE SOWETO DERBY
I was a little disappointed by the pre-match brawl that disrupted Amakhosi’s warm-up. It was not a good sight for a fixture of this magnitude. Something needs to be done to prevent such incidents. The muthi rituals were also a bit of a shock for me, especially when performed in full view of the entire stadium.
Nonetheless, as I head back to Kampala, I’m not just carrying my camera gear. I’m carrying a blueprint. My goal now is to sit down with the admins at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to truly understand the “how” behind the “wow.”
To the fans who welcomed me and the colleagues who made me feel at home: South Africa, you have something truly special. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Sharp, sharp, Mzansi.
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