Arsenal legend Thierry Henry will be a special guest of honour at the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Saturday. The former France striker's attendance was confirmed by the league's title sponsor, Betway, ahead of the clash at FNB Stadium.
Henry is expected to participate in a pre-match jersey handover ceremony and meet with select fans. The Premier Soccer League and its commercial partners are hosting the 48-year-old as part of efforts to raise the profile of the derby on the global stage.
Kaizer Chiefs head into the derby in fifth place in the Premier Soccer League, having taken 14 points from their opening eight matches. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five games. They are currently nine points behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. This season, the team has scored 13 goals and conceded eight, giving them a goal difference of plus five. Their top scorer this season is M. Shabalala with two goals in five appearances.
The Amakhosi will be buoyed by their last result, a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy where Wandile Duba scored a hat-trick. That win extended their current run to two consecutive victories. Orlando Pirates, their opponents on Saturday, sit second in the standings, setting up a key top-of-the-table encounter. After this derby, Kaizer Chiefs' next fixture is a league match against Stellenbosch FC on November 6. Their recent results include a 1-0 win over Red Arrows on October 23, a 1-0 loss to Red Arrows on October 17, a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on October 13, and a 0-0 draw with Golden Arrows on September 20.
Henry, a World Cup and European Championship winner, is no stranger to South African football, having visited previously for promotional events. His involvement is seen as a significant coup for the league's marketing efforts. The derby, one of the continent's most watched sporting events, kicks off at 3pm local time on October 31. All eyes will be on FNB Stadium, both for the football and for the star guest in the stands.
First reported at Briefly News
