The result concluded a lengthy period where the Buccaneers held sway as champions, stretching nearly two years to the day. They fell just short of emulating a feat only achieved by the Bucs outfit of the 1970s, which remains the only team to have clinched the national cup three times in a row.

History had beckoned for Pirates in their second encounter with their biggest rivals in a space of a week. Their early chances failed to conjure up any real excitement from the sellout crowd that had showed up for the spectacle.

An opportunity to edge ahead fell at the opposing end eight minutes in when referee Masixole Bambiso felt that contact between Deano van Rooyen and Pule Mmodi inside the Buccaneers’ penalty area was enough to award a penalty. Gaston Sirino stepped up to put the home side ahead moments later, with his attempt from the spot enough to affect the scorecard.

Chiefs were however only ahead for seven minutes, with Pirates drawing level after a set piece in opposition territory. This was when Deon Hotto pinpointed Evidence Makgopa by the back post, and the forward made no mistake in directing his effort into the back of the net.

Chances from Makhehleni Makhaula and Van Rooyen promised to put the Buccaneers into the lead, while Mohau Nkota also had opportunities of his own with However, the halfway mark in the contest arrived with some distance still from deciding the result between the two Soweto Giants.

It was Pirates who looked the brighter of the two sides following the restart, drawing saves from Peterson while Dillan Solomons also pulled off a stop to deny Mohau Nkota. Midfielder Thalente Mbatha attempted to push his side ahead in spectacular fashion, but misfired with an overhead kick from close range in the 72nd minute.

While it looked as if the Sea Robbers were in control, a devastating blow was dealt as the clock wound down. It was delivered in the 80th minute when Yusuf Maart fired past an outstretched Chaine to make it 2-1.

The goal from the Chiefs skipper set up a frantic finish, with Hotto and second-half substitute Tshegofatso Mabasa both finding opportunities to set up an extra 30 minutes of competition. Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi had a shot on target in injury time, but it fell straight to the hands of Peterson.

None of the Buccaneers’ chances late in injury time could yield a decisive moment and that proved costly as they went down to their biggest rivals, relinquishing their hold of the coveted title on their third straight appearance in the final.

Pirates XI: Chaine, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula (Dlamini 73’), Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Nkota (Kimvuidi 73’), Mofokeng, Makgopa (Mabasa 62’).

What kicked off with 32 teams from the various divisions of South African football is set up for a spectacular finish with a showpiece finale. It’s an epic curtain call featuring the country’s two biggest teams, who will be writing another chapter in the storied history of their iconic rivalry. 

Form Guide

Pirates are but one match away from a third straight title, with their biggest rivals standing between them and a historic feat. Their title defence kicked off just south of Saturday’s venue, where they defeated Richards Bay 3-1 to march to the Round of 16.

Victories against Baroka and SuperSport United in the subsequent rounds ensured passage to the semifinals, where they overcame the challenge of Marumo Gallants to secure their spot in the last two.

It has been nearly a month to the day since that triumph over the Free State outfit, and Jose Riveiro’s troops have been kept busy by an unrelenting schedule which has divided their attention between two other competitions. They exited the CAF Champions League in the semifinal stage after following up a goalless draw at home against Egyptian outfit Pyramids with a 3-2 defeat on the road.

That disappointment should nonetheless be diminished somewhat by recent successful outings in their domestic league, where they defeated Saturday’s opponents before overcoming Durban outfit Lamontville Golden Arrows in a game played on the very turf they will be stepping on for the final.

While the combination of the two matches will have provided a useful dress rehearsal for the big date, Pirates will take nothing for granted as they come up against a Chiefs side that will be determined to break a lengthy spell without silverware. Amakhosi come into the fixture well-rested after sitting out midweek league action.

Their defeat to Pirates was their second since eliminating last season’s Nedbank Cup runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns in a dramatic 2-1 victory at Loftus Versfeld. It’s a result that underlined what has been a dominant run in the tournament, which began with a 4-0 drubbing of third tier outfit Free Agents before convincing wins against Premiership rivals Chippa United and Stellenbosch.

Having endured a run of three league games without a win while building up to the final, Nasreddine Nabi’s men will welcome the change in competition. They will need no extra motivation to turn their fortunes around in a memorable manner as they are presented with an opportunity to halt their rivals’ dominance in the competition while ending their own trophy drought. 

Team News

There are significant boosts in playing personnel for both camps heading into the final. Chiefs forward Wandile Duba is among those making a well-timed return from suspension, having missed the league derby.

The hosts do, however, have a key player unavailable for the match in defender Bradley Cross, who was sent off after picking up two yellow cards at FNB Stadium.

Pirates, on the other hand have a player returning from a red-card suspension, with defender Nkosinathi Sibisi back in contention for a spot in the match-day squad after serving a two-match ban. He is joined by midfielder Thalente Mbatha, who had sat out the midweek outing at Moses Mabhida due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Key Players

Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates): The Nedbank Cup has brought the best out of the Bucs playmaker, whose five goal contributions is the highest tally this season. The goal in midweek will have added an extra spring to Maswanganyi’s step heading into the big finale against a side he has already proven decisive in beating this season. 

Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs): Much like Maswanganyi, the Chiefs winger has stood out in this particular competition and will want to cap a fine campaign with a strong performance in the final. He is joint-highest in the goal-scoring charts with four goals, and the threat he poses on the flanks could prove crucial in his side’s attempts to unlock the Pirates defence.

Head-to-Head

Confidence should be high in the Bucs camp after completing back-to-back league doubles over their Soweto rivals with last weekend’s win at FNB Stadium. Added to their recent derby dominance in the Premiership is their most recent Nedbank Cup triumph over Chiefs in the semifinals of the 2022/23 edition.

However, their opponents have historical favour to bank on, having had the upper hand in Nedbank Cup finals between the two sides since their first such encounter in 1971. A total of six finals have gone the way of Amakhosi, while the Buccaneers boast two victories.

The last of these finals occurred nearly 20 years ago, and Pirates will take some heart from their success in recent cup results after posting wins in five of the last six derbies across various cup competitions dating back to the 2015/16 season. Chiefs only success in this period was at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where they held their nerve in the penalty shootout to progress to the final of the 2019/20 League Cup.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The Nedbank Cup final is scheduled to kick off at 15:30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport PSL and SABC 1. Orlando Pirates will also provide live updates posted across the Club’s social media platforms.

Tickets to attend the match are sold out.

According to recent numbers, only 15,000 tickets remain.

Ticket Information:

General Stand Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets nationwide. Prices start at just R100.

Hospitality Packages:

Take your match-day experience to the next level with exclusive hospitality tickets available from SAIL:

• Standard Hospitality: R3,495
• Premium Hospitality: R4,250
• VVIP Experience: R8,250

For more information on hospitality packages, email bookings@sail.co.za or call 082 805 3150

Supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets on time to avoid any disappointment.

Ticket Information:

General Stand Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets nationwide. Prices start at just R100.

Hospitality Packages:

Take your match-day experience to the next level with exclusive hospitality tickets available from SAIL:

• Standard Hospitality: R3,495
• Premium Hospitality: R4,250
• VVIP Experience: R8,250

For more information on hospitality packages, email bookings@sail.co.za or call 082 805 3150.