Orlando Pirates’ reign as Nedbank Cup champions ended in devastating fashion at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where they lost 2-1 in the final against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
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’).
