The Soweto giants are set for a fierce battle in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 10 May.
Orlando Pirates drew first blood when they edged Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 this past Saturday in a Betway Premiership match. We look to see if Pirates can overcome Amakhosi and lift their second trophy of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates| Saturday, May 3 | Moses Mabhida Stadium | 15:00
Kaizer Chiefs
Redemption will be on the card for Chiefs as they are fighting to end the decade-long trophy drought. Their last piece of silverware was the league trophy at the end of the 2014/15 season.
They are still haunted by their loss to then-second-tier team TS Galaxy in the final of this competition in 2019, where Zakhele Lepasa scored the only goal of the match.
Chiefs’ journey in this competition has been commendable despite their underwhelming league performances. They defeated Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in the quarterfinals thanks to goals from Inacio Miguel, Pule Mmodi and Mfundo Vilakazi.
Read: SBN brings you 5 Big Match Players to Watch in the Nedbank Cup Final
They were then pitted against last year’s finalist, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the semi-finals, where they came from behind to defeat them 2-1 following goals from Wandile Duba and Ashley Du Preez.
Despite going down 2-1 this past Saturday, they had a good start to the game, enjoying much of the ball possession and scoring in the first two minutes of the game. Nasreddine Nabi should work towards ensuring that his players remain focused for the duration of the game.
The Tunisian coach is missing several key players, including Rushwin Dortley, Given Msimango and Reeve Frosler, who are sidelined with injuries. To make matters worse, defender Bradley Cross received a red card and will miss out on this match.
Nabi received a major boost with the return of Inacio Miguel, Thabo Cele, and Wandile Duba, who have been pillars of his squad.
Orlando Pirates
The Buccaneers will be looking to make history by clinching their third Nedbank Cup title in succession. With Jose Riveiro’s imminent departure, the team will be motivated to end his tenure on a high note.
The Spanish coach has a good record against the cross-town rivals, having won their past four meetings. To add to that, he is yet to be defeated in a cup final since taking charge of Pirates.
Pirates have managed to remain competitive in all competitions that they have been partaking in this season, including the CAF Champions League, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals. They are currently sitting second on the log standings and are still in contention for the league honours.
The Sea Robbers have found a way to integrate their DDC graduates into the first team. Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are now part of Riveiro’s set up, coming from the club’s DDC team. 20-year-old midfielder Simphiwe Selepe made his debut during the Soweto Derby and is expected to be a regular feature in the forthcoming season.
Attacker Evidence Makgopa, who netted the equaliser on Saturday, is expected to be granted another start in this showdown. He has been the preferred choice over Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Thalente Mbatha and Makhehleni Makhaula have been the engine of Pirates’ midfield for the greater part of the season, assisting on both defensive and attacking duties. Chiefs should find a way to disrupt this partnership to enhance their chances of winning.
Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, who received a red card during their match against Sekhukhune, should be back to strengthen their defence. Deano Van Rooyen returned to action against Arrows after missing their last two matches.
Head-to-head stats
03/05/2025: Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Orlando Pirates
01/02/2025: Orlando Pirates 1–0 Kaizer Chiefs
09/03/2024: Orlando Pirates 3-2 Kaizer Chiefs
11/11/2023: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Orlando Pirates
How to watch
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
TV channel: DStv channel 202 & SABC1
Digital viewing: Showmax and DStv Stream
Other: SABC radio stations will provide live commentary
Moses Mabhida Stadium
The over 55,000-seater will be packed to capacity, with tickets having been sold out within 90 minutes of release. It has become a venue of choice for high-calibre matches, having hosted multiple MTN8 finals and last season’s Carling Knockout Cup final.
Fans who were unable to get their hands on the tickets are encouraged to watch the showdown in the two designated fan parks located at the Durban Beach Front and Albert Park.
Prediction
This will be the first Soweto Derby final since its inception in 2008, both teams are desperate for a victory. Nabi is under fire following an underwhelming season, while Pirates are eyeing a consolation trophy, having missed out on Champions League and the Betway Premiership is likely to end up at Chloorkop with Sundowns currently enjoying a wide gap.
Odds: Kaizer Chiefs 26/10 | Draw 37/20 | Orlando Pirates 13/10
Written by Siphesihle Soni