Kaizer Chiefs skipper Yusuf Maart expressed heartfelt gratitude to his teammates and the club’s passionate supporters after leading Amakhosi to a historic 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday.
Maart, who wore the armband with pride at a packed FNB Stadium, delivered the decisive moment of the match, firing home a stunning 80th-minute volley that not only sealed the win but also ended the club’s ten-year wait for major silverware.
Read: Kaizer Chiefs end 10-Year Trophy with Dramatic Nedbank Cup Triumph
Chiefs took the early initiative in the final, going ahead in the 10th minute after a penalty was awarded when Pirates defender Deano Van Rooyen brought down Pule Mmodi inside the area. Gastón Sirino made no mistake from the spot to hand Amakhosi a deserved lead.
Evidence Makgopa then levelled in the 17th minute with a powerful header from a pin-point Dean Hotto free-kick but Maart smashed home an 80th minute volley to claim a 2-1 victory and put an end to a decade without a trophy.
Speaking after the game, a delighted Amakhosi captain told SuperSport: “We couldn’t do it without the supporters and my teammates, one love.
“Results have not been going our way in the league, but I think today we were collective as a team. We were fighting together, the players had the right mindset.
“Thanks to the fans for always coming out and supporting us, this is for them, the chairman, the technical team and for us players.”
Reflecting on his goal, the player added: “I can use both feet, and the end of the day I put my eyes on the ball and hit it and, goal!
“It was a tough road by we stuck together.”
Chiefs are currently in ninth in the Betway Premiership and finish their topflight campaign with games against Sekhuhkune United and Polokwane City.