Soweto Derby Betrayals: Famous Footballers Who Wore Both Chiefs and Pirates Jerseys

Soweto Derby Betrayals: Famous Footballers Who Wore Both Chiefs and Pirates Jerseys
Soweto Derby Betrayals: Famous Footballers Who Wore Both Chiefs and Pirates Jerseys

Throwback: Counting the most players who played in the Soweto Derby and wore either team’s jersey..


These two teams have had many legendary players don their jerseys throughout the years, and in this throwback, we highlight some of the top stars who have represented both sides.



Some of the biggest names to play for both teams include:




Jimi Jau: Jimi played 124 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 1 goal. He then played 157 games for Orlando Pirates and scored 3 goals.


Marks Maponyane: Marks Maponyane played 113 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 85 goals. He then played 101 games for Orlando Pirates and scored 44 goals.


Sizwe Motaung: Sizwe Motaung played 345 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 14 goals. He never played for Orlando Pirates.

Pollen Ndlanya: Pollen Ndlanya played 173 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 69 goals. He then played 52 games for Orlando Pirates and scored 16 goals.


Ace Khuse: Ace Khuse played 497 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 100 goals. He never played for Orlando Pirates.




Lehlohonolo Majoro: Lehlohonolo Majoro played 88 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 29 goals. He then played 33 games for Orlando Pirates and scored 8 goals.


 and Stanton Fredericks: Stanton Fredericks played 36 games for Kaizer Chiefs and scored 2 goals. He then played 29 games for Orlando Pirates and scored 2 goals.


These players may have switched sides at some point, but their talents on the pitch were undeniable, regardless of which Soweto Derby team they were playing for.


Did you know that Sizwe Motaung was the first player in the PSL era to cross the Soweto divide? The AFCON winner in 1996 paved the way for other players to follow in his footsteps. Marks Maponyane and Ace Khuse are two of the select few footballers to have scored in the Soweto Derby for both clubs, a rare achievement in the league.


One player who deserves a special mention is Collins Mbesuma, a cult hero who scored an impressive 55 goals in 173 DStv Premiership matches, including a record-breaking 25 goals in the 2004-05 PSL season. The Zambian striker’s goal-scoring prowess earned him a move to Premier League side Portsmouth in 2005, and his record is unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.