One of the biggest friendly encounters on the continent, the Carling Black Label Cup was launched in 2011 to replace the four-team Telkom Charity Cup as the new season’s curtain-raiser, with Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates pitted against each other at the mercy of their fans, who vote for the starting line-ups and substitutions.
In the inaugural showdown of 2011, neither team could be separated after 90 minutes following a goalless draw in what was Bernard Parker’s first outing in Chiefs jersey. Penalties were needed to decide the maiden winners of the pre-season cup, with Amakhosi taking the advantage following Sameehg Doutie’s missed spot-kick, the third for Pirates.
Yet Keegan Ritchie failed to convert directly after, and after Lucky Lekgwathi’s successful kick, Itumeleng Khune blazed his shot over the bar to hand Pirates the trophy.
The following year, the much-hyped match-up went to penalties once more as Benni McCarthy’s late strike cancelled out Abia Nale’s early opener. After four spot-kicks each, the scores were level at 3-3 all as Siyabonga Nkosi and McCarthy both failed to convert.
As in the previous year, Ritchie again could not slot his penalty home, yet Ayanda Gcaba’s miss kept Chiefs in the hunt. Not for long though, as the late Senzo Meyiwa saved Lincoln Zvasiya’s effort, leaving Ndumiso Mabena to score as the Bucs defended their crown.
Chiefs would finally taste CBL success in 2013 after edging their fierce rivals 1-0 thanks to Lehlohonolo Majoro’s 39th-minute goal: George Lebese had whipped in a ball that Parker headed onto the crossbar, only for the now Cape Town City frontman to make no mistake from close range.
Penalties would against decide the 2014 winners after another goalless draw at FNB Stadium, in what was Issa Sarr’s first appearance in a black and white jersey. In what was poor penalty shoot-out, in which seven players failed to score, it was ultimately Siboniso Gaxa’s failed attempt, combined with Thabo Matlaba’s successful strike, that gave the Sea Robbers the win.
For a fourth time in five years, the 2015 edition once again finished in a draw, Sifiso Myeni’s pinpoint free-kick giving Pirates an early lead before Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s second half equaliser once again sent the game into a penalty shootout. As luck would have it, Ritchie missed for a third time in the competition, with Brighton Mhlongo denying Letsholonyane, as well as Pirates, lifted a fourth CBL cup in five years.
With Pirates threatening to pull well clear of their rivals, Chiefs were desperate to win last year’s encounter, and did just that, Erick Mathoho tapping home from close range early in the second half, before new signing Lewis Macha signalled his arrival at Naturena by heading past Mhlongo in added time to secure a 2-0 win and Chiefs’ second CBL crown.
2011: Pirates 0 Chiefs 0
(Pirates win 4-3 on penalties)
2012: Pirates 1 Chiefs 1
(Pirates win 5-4 on penalties)
2013: Chiefs 1 Pirates 0
2014: Chiefs 0 Pirates 0
(Pirates win 6-5 on penalties)
2015: Chiefs 1 Pirates 1
(Pirates win 4-3 on penalties)
2016: Chiefs 2 Pirates 0