Kaizer Chiefs have secured their first major trophy in 10 years after defeating Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup Final
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Orlando Pirates
Date: 10 May 2025
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
There was a change in the Chiefs goalkeeping department as Brandon Petersen replaced Bruce Bvuma, who was not included in the matchday squad while Thabo Cele, Wandile Duba and Inacio Miguel returned to the line-up.
Pirates, meanwhile, made threes change from last week’s Soweto Derby, as Nkosinathi Sibisi returned from suspension and replaced Thapelo Xoki in defence, while Deano Van Rooyen and Patrick Maswanganyi were also recalled.
Van Rooyen did not get off to the perfect start when his foul on Pule Mmodi in the box saw Chiefs awarded a penalty after eight minutes, with Gaston Sirino stepping up and converting for the opening goal.
The Buccaneers have a history of coming from behind in finals and they managed to level matters in the 16th minute as Evidence Makgopa made it back-to-games with goals against Chiefs with a towering header from Deon Hotto’s free-kick.
Pirates enjoyed more of the ball after getting back on level terms, but were unable to carve out any more big openings in the final third, with Mohau Nkota going closest with a low strike that forced Petersen to parry away.
Scroll through the gallery above to see action from Nedbank Cup final.
The game opened up a bit more in the second half but both sides let themselves down with the decision-making in the final third inside the opening 15 minutes.
Both sides responded with a change two minutes after the hour mark as Cele made way for Sibongiseni Mthethwa, much to disappointment of the Chiefs fans while Pirates threw on Tshegofatso Mabasa for Makgopa.
With Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley du Preez also introduced, Chiefs went close to pulling ahead on 77 minutes after former’s cross found an un-marked Mmodi, who saw his powerful volley crash against the upright.
The Amakhosi got their reward two minutes later when captain Yusuf Maart ran onto a cross from Du Preez and sent a superb left-footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Pirates went agonisingly close to pulling level on 90 minutes when Mabasa’s flick-on at the near post sailed past everyone and the upright, as Chiefs held on to claim their first trophy since 2015.
Here’s how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 4. Kwinika, 84. Miguel, 2. Dove, 18. Solomons, 8. Maart, 21. Cele, 13. Mmodi, 36. Duba, 99. Lilepo, 10. Sirino
Subs: 30. Ntwari, 19. Mashiane, 42. Shabalala, 17. Castillo, 22. Matlou, 12. Ngcobo, 5. Mthethwa, 9. Du Preez, 40. Morris.
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 44. Mbokazi, 3. Van Rooyen, 7. Hotto, 7. Mbatha, 8. Makhaula, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 33. Nkota, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 47. Selepe, 42. Radiopane, 29. Mako, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 25. Kimvuidi, 19. Mabasa, 18. Dlamini
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