The ‘Tshwane’ derby is taking over!

Fifty-three fouls … 12 yellow cards … two red cards … this is not football, it’s war!

Human beings are by nature generally known to be resistant to change. Who would have known (10 years ago) that by now homosexuality would be legislated and protected? Maybe not Jon Qwelane, but such is the reality of life.

Only time will tell, but for South African fans need to gear up (or rather anticipate) the “dethroning” of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs as the icons of South African football.

Some optimists (or rather diehards) might argue that this nothing but an idealist’s dream, but I differ. The weekend’s match between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport provided enough evidence that change is a part of life with which all of us need to become acquainted.

The thing about change is that it happens not because we want it to, but because it has to. Who would have predicted that Orlando Pirates fans would “cry” after a loss instead of burning the stadium? Who would have predicted that Kaizer Chiefs fans would celebrate sixth position on the log?

These particular questions bring us to the crux of what exactly kills the passion of a derby. In my opinion, a derby dies first on the stands before it comes to the field. When I was introduced to Pirates during the times of Steven “BMX” Potsane, Basil Steenkamp, Ernest “Botsotso” Makhanya, Bashin Mahlangu and the crew, there was always anger from fans on the stands when the team lost. But today they cry!

I got to know Kaizer Chiefs during the times of Marks Maponyane, Absolom “Scara” Thindwa, Jack Chamangwane and others. Besides the propaganda and “stuff”, position six on the log was just not good enough.

Today both Soweto rivals share a sponsor (that is, they are friends when going to the bank). If money rules the world, how much rivalry can anyone still expect between the two Soweto giants?

Back to the weekend’s game …

As much as Sundowns won the clash against SuperSport, the game represented (and probably surpassed) what is expected of many a derby match all over the globe. Unless of course you subscribe to conservatism, you could argue that it was brutal and rough. Of which one might probe: What good is a derby if it is not brutal and rough?

The central element of a typical derby match all across the globe is one word: emotion.

Winner takes all … that’s where it ends!