Just jump. Oh, and hang on.: Soweto Derby

March 15, 2014

Having seen a local soccer game before (and even having seen a game at FNB Stadium before), we thought we knew what we were in for when we decided to go to the Premiership League rival game of the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs. These two teams are both local teams, making this a classic local derby. The game was completely sold out, meaning they were expecting over 90,000 people (not to mention the people who would inevitably be outside the stadium trying to find a way inside to see the game).

The event started with a valiant effort to make use of public transit to take us to the game. It involved a lot of waiting, a lot of getting on and off of what we were told was the right bus, and a lot of squishing and cramming into said buses. When we finally made it to the game, we were naive enough to assume the seats we had bought and paid for would still be empty. Rookie mistake. We trekked to the very top of the stadium and found an empty row in the nose bleeds with our name on it (well, not really, but we claimed it as our own). That all aside, the experience of the game itself was amazing. While there is a very intense rivalry between the Pirates and the Chiefs, there didn't seem to be the usual animosity found between fans of opposing teams. Everyone was dancing, singing and cheering throughout the entire game. Interestingly, this marked the third time we've been to the FNB Stadium, and also the third time where they've run out of beer mid-way through the event. I'm sensing a pattern here. Regardless, in the end the Chiefs walked away with a 1-0 victory. Our experience of getting back home was no less eventful than the way there, and even included an after-dark stroll through the CBD. All told, it was an adventurous and authentic day in Joburg!