Has the Soweto Derby lost it’s appeal?

Johannesburg - It’s Soweto Derby time and I cannot help but notice that the excitement of the past is no more.

Granted, Covid-19 has ensured that nothing is how it used to be.

Back when things were still ‘normal’ and a clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates used to capture the imagination of a nation, yesterday would have marked the beginning of a thrilling week.

For us in the media, our reviews of the previous weekend’s fixtures would see us analysing the clubs’ games in view of their upcoming encounter. Football pundits would willingly and excitedly offer opinions on what they foresaw transpiring in ‘The Derby’.

Rarely would there be a midweek match like Pirates’ league game with Cape Town City to interrupt the flow of the build up to the big one.

The likes of Steve Lekoelea and Jabu Pule would often allow newshounds to accompany them to hair salons as they went to have special hairstyles for the big match.

ALSO READ: A brief look at the storied history of the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs

Those of us who used public transport had fascinating trips to and from work, listening to fellow passengers engaging in debates as to who would be triumphant.

Far away from all of us, the two clubs would be doing everything they could to ensure victory was certain. Sometimes, the media would be allowed to a session for a peak and a few words from the coach or captain, if not a few chosen players.

But what we would never be privy to was the ‘traditional’ prematch rituals which involved the players getting into baths of mutiinfused water, jumping over fires, or guzzling foul-tasting liquids meant to make them better than the opposition.

That I know of this is because lately, the former players have