The much-awaited Soweto Derby in South Africa, featuring Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, is completely sold out.
This announcement was made by the Pirates, who are the home team for the highly anticipated match scheduled at FNB Stadium on February 1.
On Friday, stadium officials reported that only 15,000 tickets were left. However, Pirates confirmed on Saturday that all tickets have been sold.
The swift ticket sales reflect Pirates’ outstanding season. They currently hold second place in the Betway Premiership with 27 points from 11 matches, only three points behind the league-leading seven-time champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.
In comparison, Chiefs have experienced a more uneven season, positioned sixth with 18 points from 13 matches, trailing Pirates by nine points.
Pirates have recently been the more successful team in these Derby encounters, having won their last three meetings, including the Nedbank Cup semifinal in 2023.
This upcoming match will mark the 181st encounter in this historic rivalry, with Chiefs holding a slender advantage in the overall series, boasting 74 wins to Pirates’ 47 victories. There have also been 54 draws and five abandoned games, with Chiefs scoring a total of 230 goals in the Soweto Derby and Pirates netting 196.
Before this iconic showdown at the venue of the 2010 World Cup final, Pirates will face three more rivals.
They are set to compete against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League this weekend, where a draw will guarantee them the top position in Group C.
After that, they will take on Royal AM at Harry Gwala Stadium on January 23, followed by a match against Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup last 32 just three days later, also away.
