Orlando Pirates versus Kaizer Chiefs will headline the DStv Diski Challenge derby weekend billed at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, KwaNdebele.
Despite being Premier Soccer League [PSL] Reserves, this is one of the country’s most prominent sporting fixtures.
This weekend festival will kick off on Saturday morning [10, CAT] with a Tshwane derby between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United.
Pirates and Chiefs will face off in the last match on Sunday at noon, CAT.
Today we look at the first-ever Diski Challenge Soweto derby played at King Zwelithini Stadium on 14 February 2016.
The two sides played to a goalless draw in that match where then Chiefs striker Edward Manqele missed a penalty that could have given Amakhosi three points.
Here we look at some of the players who featured in that match: Where are they now?
Some of them went from the Diski challenge to feature in the senior team derby. Some have been losing in the football circles while some are still active, playing the beautiful game and having launched their careers in Diski Challenge.
KAIZER CHIEFS
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo – Mshini, as he is affectionately known in football circles, is still part of the Chiefs team. Ngcobo is among the few players who played the Soweto derby at both the Diski challenge and PSL levels. He has also presented the country as Under-20 level and Under-23.
Itumeleng Shopane: The 25-year-old is now playing for Mpumalanga Football Academy in the ABC Motsepe League. Shopane was a standout striker for the Chiefs in the Diski and was named the Diski Shield player of the year in 2018. However, he continued to play for Swallows FC, La Masia, before relocating to Mpumalanga, so luck has not been on his side.Emmanuel Letlotlo – The 2015/16 Diski Challenge top goal scorer after scoring nine goals in 15 matches. He had a promising career but never reached his peak and played in the elite division. After leaving Chiefs, he went to play for Baroka and Royal AM. He is currently in the books of Postmasburg FC in the Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League.
Edward Manqele: At 35, Manqele is currently clubless. He was last in the book of Pretoria Callies last season, where he spent five months before his contract was terminated.
ORLANDO PIRATES
Yanga Baliso: The midfielder has spent most of his career playing in Finland. He left Pirates to join Cape Umoya in 2018. A year later, he moved to Finland, where he played for Pargas Idrottsförening and IFK Mariehamn. He is currently in the books of AC Oulu in Finland.
Roger Majafa: Majafa is among those players who never reached their full potential despite showing good signs during his development days. He has represented teams such as TS Sporting in the First Division and Limpopo Motsepe League side Mucasa FC. He is currently playing in Motsepe League in Nothern Cape.
Reanetse Ramatlapeng – is currently in the books of Hungry Lions in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Nkosinathi Mthiyane: He left the Pirates to join Arrows on loan. He was last seen in the books of Chippa United.
