The Four-Leaf Clover: Uncovering the Biggest Winning Margins in Soweto Derby History

Following Orlando Pirates’ emphatic 3-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in
the Soweto derby last weekend, Soccer Laduma takes a look at the most
dominant scorelines in the fixture’s rich history.

While the Buccaneers’ recent performance was commanding, they narrowly
missed the opportunity to set a new record. Despite the game appearing to be
there for the taking, the largest margin of victory in this iconic rivalry
remains four goals, a feat that has been achieved on three separate
occasions.

Here is a closer look at those historic matches where the victors won by a
four-goal margin:

1972: Chiefs’ Extra-Time Masterclass

The first instance occurred in 1972 during the Champion of Champions final
second leg. In a remarkable encounter, Kaizer Chiefs triumphed 7-3 over
Pirates, though the scoreline was achieved after extra time.

The match saw Pirates take a two-goal lead in the first half through a
Blessing Fakude penalty and a strike from Blessing Mgidi. Chiefs, however,
mounted a comeback with a Joseph Setlhodi penalty and two quick goals from
Herman Blaschke and Ariel Kgongoane. A late goal from Pirates’ Alfred Jacobs
leveled the score at 3-3, forcing the game into an additional 30 minutes.

Extra time belonged entirely to Chiefs. Michael Dlamini put them ahead
before Jonny Mokoena turned hero, setting up a goal for Kaizer Motaung and
netting twice himself to seal the historic 7-3 victory.

1975: Chiefs Run Riot Again

Three years later, in 1975, Kaizer Chiefs once again secured a four-goal
winning margin, this time defeating their rivals 5-1 in a BP Top 16
semi-final replay. Similar to the 1972 encounter, this match also needed
extra time after the sides were deadlocked at 1-1 following regulation time.

The hero for the Glamour Boys was Ebison ‘Sugar’ Muguyo, who not only scored
the equalizer but completed a hat-trick during the extra-time period as
Chiefs ran away with the game.

1990: Pirates’ Long-Awaited Revenge

Orlando Pirates had to wait until 1990 to register their own four-goal
margin victory. In a league encounter at FNB Stadium, the Buccaneers
dismantled a Chiefs side that was locked in a tight title race with Mamelodi
Sundowns, winning 5-1.

Pirates were dominant from the start. Mandla ‘Metro Blitz’ Sithole opened
the scoring, with Ernest ‘Botsotso’ Makhanya and Teboho Moloi adding two
more before halftime to make it 3-0. Scara Thindwa pulled one back for
Chiefs in the second half, but Pirates restored their four-goal cushion
thanks to a brace from Rodney Anley, securing a famous victory that
ultimately aided Sundowns in their title triumph.

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