Of course, the idea is not one to take seriously, but it is an indisputable fact that no matter how often Chiefs and Pirates compete against each other, no matter how inconsequential their match-ups might be the crowds are sure to come flocking to see teams who command nationwide following of well nigh religious proportions.

Indeed, the Chiefs-Pirates clashes have been described as "the opium of the masses" because of the fans' addiction to the games - and it would be a surprise of major proportions if anything was different for this week-end's first-leg MTN8 semi-final between the traditional old foes at the cavernous FNB Stadium. Will there be a capacity 90 000 crowd? Maybe, maybe not quite full, but it is an occasion that is sure to attract a massive crowd and a great deal of emotion both on and off the playing pitch.

Yet ironically it is neither Chiefs nor Pirates who have dominated the Premier League in recent years, with SuperSport United three times champions and big-spending Mamelodi Sundowns more likely to arouse the interest of the neutrals in spite of failing to live up to their high and expensive expectations. So what is it behind the great Soweto rivals' magnetic attraction? Principally possibly because there is an unbreakable bond between the two adversaries, with Chiefs a breakaway off-shoot of The Buccaneers almost 40 years ago in what was initially heated and acrimonious circumstances. And while tempers have gradually cooled down over the years over Kaizer Motaung and company cutting their ties with Pirates and forming what is widely referred to as the Amakhosi, the pride and prejudice associated with their matches continues to burn brightly and with a fierce intensity.

And now with both The Buccaneers and The Amakhosi intent on reclaiming a position as the top soccer combination in the country with something resembling an obsession, there is an extra degree of intent to achieve an element of one-upmanship over the other. But in this respect both Chiefs and Pirates might still have some hard work facing them, with early-season optimism diluted somewhat in mid-week as the Amakhosi and the Buccaneers were held to draws by Maritzburg United and Free State Stars respectively in only their second Premier League games of the season. Goals have often been at a premium in the recent pinnacle Soweto derbies and apart from the atmosphere lifting the occasions, there has been little to crow about regarding a degree of inspirational football. But still it is difficult to question the enormity of the occasion when so much seems to be at stake for so many.

And, oh yes, there is the second MTN8 first-leg semi-final taking this place this week-end between Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows in Cape Town - as if all that many are taking notice of a game that  will do well to attract a crowd of 5 000 or more.

By Sy Lerman