By John Lawrence
Derbies matches between two rival teams from the same town or city are usually feisty affairs that ride on history and tradition. That means that their importance transcends the three points, which teams usually view for, into the realm of prestige and bragging rights.
Such football rivalry is usually based on geographical location, but can also be hinged on past controversies. The most pronounced derby in Nairobi is Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards. It not only involves two of Kenya’s most famous football clubs, but also has historical foundations to stand on. The passion on and off the field is often hard to miss—sometimes turning violent. In recent years it has come to be known as ‘Shemeji Derby’, probably to indicate that as much as the two teams are bitter rivals, they respect each other — just like mashemeji (in-laws).
Considering the numbers in recent encounters, Gor have an edge in this fixture. For example, they have won four times compared to Leopards’ two wins in the last seven encounters. The most (in)famous incident of the Nairobi derby was the Nyayo National Stadium tragedy in 2010 when six fans were killed and 50 injured in a stampede at Gates 2.
But the Nairobi derby hardly enjoys exclusivity on the continent. This week we take a look at some of Africa’s fiercest rivalries.
Cairo Derby (Egypt): Al-Ahly vs Zamalek
They share a stadium, but don’t be fooled that this is a sign of kinship. The Greater Cairo battle is one of the fiercest and nastiest in Africa with their rivalry featuring some of Egypt’s top stars. Rated the 8th fiercest derby in the world in 2008 by World Soccer Magazine, the Egyptian derby has had four huge results: 7-1 for Al Ahly FC, 6-0 back to back victories for Zamalek and a last 6-1 for Al Ahly. Fans of both clubs can be violent when in anger with endless fights causing massive damages and injuries, sometimes leading to death.
Egyptian football may have been affected by recent political turmoil, but we are sure the derby will be back soon.
Soweto Derby (South Africa): Chiefs vs Pirates
It does not get bigger than this down south. Roads are usually closed in at least 14 major Johannesburg intersections from Soweto Highway and Menz Street to Narsec Road and Shaft 17 Road, Soccer City Avenue to Landbou road and ring road. Then along the streets of almost every South African city, pomp, colour and noise (somebody say vuvuzela!) fill the atmosphere every year whenever Kaizer Chiefs meet Orlando Pirates.
It is also the only South African match that is televised live worldwide with millions of viewers. The event is normally sold out, and last year more than 21 million votes were cast in an online competition where fans vote for the players who will participate in the Carling Black Label Soweto Derby.
Kinshasa Derby (DR Congo): Vita Club vs Daring Club Motema Pembe
If you have heard the popular Lingala song, Vita Imana by the Werrason faction of Wenge Musica (which featured Ferre Gola) then you should have an idea of how big this Kinshasa derby is. It may be a love song, but the comparison of the tumultuous romantic relationship to a match between Association Sportive Vita Club (Vita) and Daring Club Motema Pembe (Imana) is fitting. There’s no love lost whenever Vita and DC Motema Pembe meet, one is allowed to think of the Old Firm Derby in terms of ferociousness.
Overshadowed these days by the endless fights and regime wrangles, the Vita-Imana clashes are epic riots of colour, sound, and — more often than not — off-field nastiness. Six games between the two sides over the last four decades have been called off because of crowd disturbances. In 1984 their league game famously lasted just three minutes before being abandoned by the referee.
Of course DC Motema Pembe is known for humiliating Kenya Breweries (now Tusker) 3-0 in the Nairobi return leg after the Kenyan boys managed an away draw in Kinshsa during a continental clash in 1994.
African Clasicco (Ghana): Asante Kotoko vs Hearts of Oak
Ghana, the home of flowing football that sometimes referred to as the ‘Brazil of Africa’, has produced some big names in world football. Many of them have been inspired by the rivalry of the country’s two big clubs: Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. Colourful and controversial are the twin words that best describe the history of the derby. Sometimes there are claims of witchcraft; sometimes there is violence; but most of the time it is pure football bliss.
Tunis Derby (Tunisia): Club Africain v ES Tunis
The two sides’ battle each season is one of the most hotly contested derbies in North Africa. Although both sides have had their ups and downs, traditionally they remain powerhouses— making their encounters invariably exciting.
Abidjan Derby (Ivory Coast): ASEC Mimosas vs Africa Sports
Officially known as the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the West African country is no doubt one of African football ‘big boys’. However, the Abidjan Derby is not one of the prettiest around. In fact, a number of outsiders would find the action off the field more interesting than the 90-minutes of moves on the pitch.
Casablanca Derby (Morocco):Raja Casablanca vs. Wydad Casablanca
Since 1956, Moroccans have witnessed a stream of endless football cocktail from both Raja and Wydad fans often occasioned by choreography and lots of noise! The derby is most known for the fans battle over the best artwork showing their true colours and love for their clubs.
Dar-es-Salaam Derby (Tanzania) – Young Africans vs Simba
There’s that famous YouTube video of Young Africans (Yanga) fan Stephen Samuel crying (or is it weeping) after his team lost.
His immortal words, a cry for justice on behalf of the fans, have become the butt of jokes: Sisi mashabiki ndiyo tunaumia…Hii ni hujuma!
The Yanga vs Simba matchup has undoubtedly overshadowed similar contests in Kenya and Uganda.
The derby is tounted to be the most anticipated in East Africa.
The sea of yellow (Yanga supporters) and red (Simba adherents) during such encounters is a sight unmatched in the region.
Kitwe Derby (Zambia): Power Dynamos vs Nkana Red Devils
Zambia’s second largest city is known for its mines— and the football derby.
The derby between Power Dynamos and Nkana is one of the most fiercely contested on the continent.
Many fans will want to attend, not just for the football, but for the atmosphere.
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