Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Mncwango reflects on his Soweto derby memories

Mncwango, who was a #FlashbackFriday guest on Radio 2000’s Game On sports show with Thabiso Mosia last night, says that derby symbolized the strength of Pirates just a few years after the Chairman Irvin Khoza had taken over the club in the early 90s.

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"The one that we won 4-1, where Jerry scored three goals against Brian Baloyi that's the one that stood out for me. That team, Mr Chairman, he signed all good players from Cosmos [Jomo] and then Jerry Sikhosana from Witbank Aces, we were one team, Marks Maponyane, Dungi [John Moeti], we were one team and we were fighting for each other," Mncwango said.

Mncwango joined Pirates from Jomo Cosmos in 1993 after a good showing in the African Cup Winners Cup and went on to win the league and also the African Champions League in 1994 and 1995 respectively.

The former midfield general describes the sleepless days and nights before the derby.

"You can't sleep, you panic because it's a big game. Pirates playing against Chiefs it's big, it's got pressure itself and you feel the pressure as a player, that's a game that everyone wants to win. [With] Us, even supporters the whole week towards that weekend of the derby, you will see that something is happening over the weekend but now it's quiet, only on Friday you'll think about it, oh it's a derby, sometimes you won't even go to the stadium," he added.