Matches between two rival teams from the same city or town are feisty affairs that ride on tradition and history. That means that their importance is the three points, which every team view for, into the realm of bragging and prestige rights.
Such football rivalries and derbies are based on past controversies, and also geographical location. The passion in the field is often hard to miss and sometimes turning violent. Below are some of the top African rivalries that are thrilling and as much fun as playing at an online casino;
Kinshasa Derby (DR Congo): Vita Club Vs Darling Club Motema Pembe
For those who know the Lingala song, Vita Imana by Werrason faction of Wenge Musica (featuring Ferre Gola) then you probably have an idea of how big Kinshasa derby is. It is a love song, but compared to the tumultuous romantic relationship between the two clubs if fitting. There’s no love lost whenever the two meet, one is allowed to think of the Old Firm derby in terms of ferociousness.
These days the regime wrangles and endless fights whenever the clubs meet have since been overshadowed by epic riots of sound, colour and little off-field nastiness. Six games between the two teams have been cancelled in the last four decades due to crowd disturbance. With the most memorable in 1984, the game lasted for three minutes after being abandoned by the referee.
African Clasico (Ghana): Asante Kotoko Vs Hearts of Oak
This rivalry in Ghana is like no other. Unlike most rivalries the teams involved aren’t in the same city. But the feud shared by these two clubs is captivating just like any other on the continent and for a genuine reason.
Ghana is home to flowing football that is sometimes referred to as ‘’Brazil of Africa.’’ They have produced some big names in world football. Many of these players are inspired by the rivalry of the country’s two big clubs; Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Colourful and controversial are word that best describe the history of the derby. Sometimes there are claims of violence, witchcraft and most of the time pure football bliss.
Kitwe Derby (Zambia): Power Dynamos Vs Nkana Red Devils
Zambia’s second largest city is known for the football derby and mines. The derby between Nkana and Power Dynamos is among the most fiercely contested on the continent. The derby creates a certain atmosphere where many fans will not just attend for the game but because of the atmosphere around.
Al Merrickh Vs Al Hilal (Sudan)
There is a rivalry between these two strongest teams in Omdurman, the old national capital of Sudan. Al Hilal has won many Sudan Premier League titles while Al Merrickh has won most Sudan Cups. The firs clash between the two was in 1934 when Al Hilal suffered a 2-0 in the hands of Al Merrickh. The match is historically known as The Match of the Green Market, since there were no stadiums back then and the match was held in Omdurman, the old national capital of Sudan. Which during day time was used green grass sellers and football was played in the afternoons. Today, matches played by these two rivals and most famous Sudanese football clubs are still very famous.
