There is nothing quite like an Orlando Pirates match day in Soweto. Its Musseeeeve and Sublime
Long before the players walk onto the pitch, you can feel that something is happening. Supporters are already wearing black and white, taxis are moving through the streets, music is playing and conversations about the starting line-up have started.
And then there is the food.
If you are going to watch the Buccaneers at Orlando Stadium, arriving only in time for kick-off means missing a big part of the experience. Come earlier, find somewhere to eat and enjoy Soweto before making your way to the stadium.
Here are some places to consider.
Chaf Pozi – Start Under the Orlando Towers
For a pre-match meal with a proper Soweto atmosphere, Chaf Pozi is an obvious place to start.
Situated at the Orlando Towers, Chaf Pozi specialises in shisa nyama. You choose your meat and it is seasoned and cooked over the braai, with traditional sides available alongside it. Think beef, wors, chicken and other braai favourites with pap, gravy, chakalaka and coleslaw.
But this is not only about filling your stomach before the football.
On a big match day, being around Orlando is part of the fun. You will often find supporters arriving early, talking football and getting themselves into match-day mode.
Chaf Pozi itself describes the venue as suitable for pre- and post-Orlando Stadium events.
Good for: Shisa nyama, groups of friends and supporters who want a lively pre-match experience.
Sakhumzi – Make Vilakazi Street Part of Your Match Day
If you have more time before kick-off, head towards Vilakazi Street.
This famous part of Orlando West gives you the opportunity to turn a Pirates game into a bigger day out in Soweto. Sakhumzi is one of the established restaurants on Vilakazi Street and is known for South African food. It is roughly 2.4 kilometres from the Chaf Pozi/Orlando Towers area according to current restaurant listings.
This option makes sense when you are not rushing.
Arrive early, sit down for lunch, enjoy Vilakazi Street and then make your way towards Orlando Stadium before the crowds become heavier.
Good for: Visitors to Soweto, families and anyone wanting lunch before heading to the match.
Vuyos – A More Relaxed Sit-Down Meal
If you want something that feels more like a restaurant lunch before the football, Vuyos on Vilakazi Street is another option.
The restaurant focuses on African cuisine and gives you an alternative to the traditional pre-match shisa nyama experience. Current Soweto restaurant guides continue to list Vuyos among the area’s dining options.
It can work particularly well when you are taking somebody to their first Pirates match.
Have lunch first, explore a little of Orlando West and then let the atmosphere build as you head towards the stadium.
Good for: Couples, small groups and visitors looking for a sit-down meal.
Wandie’s Place – Traditional Soweto Food
Another name worth knowing is Wandie’s Place in Dube.
Wandie’s has long been associated with traditional South African and township-style food and remains listed among Soweto’s established African restaurants.
It is not the place I would choose if I had only an hour before kick-off. Rather make it part of a relaxed match-day itinerary when you have plenty of time to eat before heading towards Orlando.
Good for: Traditional food and a slower Soweto lunch before the football.
Sometimes the Simple Match-Day Food Is the Best
You don’t always need a restaurant.
One of the pleasures of football in South Africa is grabbing something simple before the game.
Depending on what is available on the day, that might mean a kota, wors, braaied meat or another quick local meal.
There is something about eating uncomplicated food while surrounded by supporters that suits football perfectly.
Just remember that match days can get busy, so don’t leave everything until the last minute.
What Should You Eat Before the Match?
If it is your first visit to Soweto, I would look for something local.
Shisa nyama with pap and chakalaka is difficult to beat before a Pirates game. A kota is another option if you want something quicker and more casual.
If you are travelling with children or people who prefer familiar choices, Soweto also has plenty of conventional fast-food and sit-down options.
The important thing is to give yourself enough time.
How Early Should You Eat?
For a big Orlando Pirates home game, I like the idea of making the meal part of the day rather than squeezing it in just before kick-off.
Aim to be eating around two to three hours before the match.
That gives you time to finish your meal without watching the clock every five minutes and still allows extra time for traffic, parking, crowds and getting into Orlando Stadium.
For a Soweto Derby or another major fixture, I would allow even more time.
My Ideal Orlando Pirates Match-Day Plan
If I were taking somebody to their first Pirates game at Orlando Stadium, I wouldn’t simply drive to the stadium.
I would arrive in Soweto early.
If there was plenty of time, I would start around Vilakazi Street, have something to eat and enjoy Orlando West for a while.
If the priority was football atmosphere, I would head towards the Orlando Towers area, find some shisa nyama and soak up the build-up closer to the stadium.
Then it would be time for Orlando Stadium.
Because an Orlando Pirates match isn’t only about the 90 minutes.
It is the black and white shirts you see on the way there. It is the arguments about who should start. It is the smell of meat cooking over the fire. It is the music, the people and the streets of Soweto getting louder as kick-off gets closer.
The football is the main event.
But eating in Soweto before the game can become one of the best parts of the day.
*Sublime Travel tip: Restaurant opening hours, menus, prices and match-day arrangements can change. Check directly with the restaurant before travelling, particularly for evening fixtures and major games.
