A derby is a football match between two teams from the same city, region or area. It can also sometimes be used for matches between two heavyweights in the same league, cup or competition.
In Africa, derbies between football clubs are very intense and, due to the fragile security situation, violence and chaos regularly occur.
From this article, HOME FOOTBALL BLOG presents the five biggest football classics in Africa.
1. CAIRO DERBY
Teams: Al-Ahly x Zamalek
Country: Egypt
The Cairo derby will take place between Al-Ahly and Zamalek – the two most successful clubs in Egypt and Africa. Both clubs are based in Cairo and even share the same stadium (Cairo International Stadium).
The first Cairo derby took place in 1922.
In total, they met 242 times. Al-Ahly had 105 wins, Zamalek 79 and 58 draws.
Matches between these two clubs often turn violent, resulting in fights, injuries and even deaths. Egyptian government authorities are now implementing strict security measures on Cairo Derby match days.
As the derby is so important, non-Egyptian referees are used to referee both clubs' domestic games to ensure impartiality.
The Cairo Derby is typically watched by around 80 to 100 million people in North Africa, the Middle East and around the world.
When it comes to trophies, Al-Ahly have won the Egyptian Premier League 42 times, while Zamalek have done so 13 times. In total, Al-Ahly have won 143 trophies across all competitions, while Zamalek have won 74.
The Cairo derby is one of the ten most difficult football derbies in the world.
2. CASABLANCA DERBY
Teams: Raja Casablanca x Wydad Casablanca
Country: Morocco
Wydad and Raja are the biggest clubs in Morocco and are both based in Casablanca.
The first meeting between the two clubs took place in 1956. Since then, they have met 146 times, with Raja claiming 41 wins and Wydad 38, with 68 games ending in draws.
Classic is so intense; This is how you can see that the margin of victory between them is so small.
The Casablanca derby often sees riots before, during and after games. The matches are played in the same stadium shared by both clubs (Stade Mohamed V), which usually has a busy and lively crowd.
Raja won the league 12 times, Wydad won it 21 times. The total number of trophies won by Raja Casablanca in all competitions is 32, while that of Wydad Casablanca is 43.
3. SOWETO DERBY
Teams: Kaizer Chiefs x Orlando Pirates
Country: South Africa
The Soweto derby takes place between two of South Africa's biggest clubs. Both are based in South Africa's largest municipality, Soweto, Johannesburg.
The rivalry arose from the fact that Kaizer Chiefs was founded by a former Orlando Pirates player, Kaizer Motaung.
The first meeting between the two clubs took place in 1970. In total, they faced each other 82 times, with both winning 25 and 32 matches ending in a draw.
Kaizer Chiefs have won the Premier Soccer League 12 times and won a total of 54 trophies, while Orlando Pirates have won the league 9 times with a total of 30 trophies.
The Soweto Derby often attracts large crowds in South Africa and neighboring countries.
4. TUNIS DERBY
Teams: Esperance x Club Africain
Country: Tunisia
Esperance (ES Tunis) and Club Africain – the two big teams from Tunis, the capital of Tunisia – participate in the Tunis derby.
The first Tunis derby was played in 1924. Since then, the two teams have met 158 times, with Esperance winning 64 times, Club Africa 41 times and drawing 53 times.
As for trophies, Esperance has 13 league titles (37 trophies in total), while Africain has 31 leagues (64 trophies in total).
5. NAIROBI DERBY
Teams: AFC Leopards x Gor Mahia
Country: Kenya
The Nairobi Derby or Mashemeji Derby takes place between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia, both based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The first derby between them took place in 1968.
The Nairobi derby is always difficult and the atmosphere is extremely tense. Games are repeatedly interrupted by hooligan fans of both clubs, players and officials are frequently hit with rocks and objects, and games are regularly abandoned.
The intense rivalry between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia goes beyond football. It is also a matter of tribal conflict, as the Leopards are mainly supported by the Luhya tribe, while Gor Mahia fans are predominantly from the Luo tribe.
They met 93 times, with Gor winning 33 times, Leopards 28 times and drawing 32 times. Gor have dominated the derby in recent years as the gap between the two clubs has widened.
Leopards have a total of 31 trophies (13 league titles), while Gor Mahia have won 39 trophies (18 league titles).
OTHER NOTABLE FOOTBALL DERBIES IN AFRICA:
- Al-Hilal against me Al Merreikh (Sudan)
- MC Algiers x USM Algiers (Algeria)
- Asante Kotoko x Hearts of Oak (Ghana)
- Asec Mimosas x Africa Sports (Ivory Coast)
- Plateau United x Mighty Jets (Nigeria)
- Enyimba x Abia Warriors (Nigeria)
- Simba SC x Young Africans (Tanzania)
READ TOO:
- The 5 biggest football stadiums in Africa
- The 5 greatest African football players at the World Cup
- The 10 football clubs with the most fans in Africa
- Top 10 African football clubs with the most fans
