Posted in Match Report, News, Team News on May 10, 2025.
Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2
(Sirino pen. 10’, Maart 80’)
Orlando Pirates (1) 1
(Makgopa 17’)
Nedbank Cup Final
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
With one magnificent stroke of his left foot, Yusuf Maart wiped out 11 years of pain and frustration among the Amakhosi faithful, as the Glamour Boys produced a fabulous performance to beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Gaston Sirino had given Chiefs an early lead, which was pegged back before half-time, courtesy of Evidence Makgopa, before Maart’s sweet volley decided the match, and the destination of the coveted trophy.
The match began in perfect late-autumn conditions amid a fantastic atmosphere and both teams revealed their intent to go for victory from the opening whistle. No quarter was asked nor given as both teams of players set out to represent their badges with pride.
Amakhosi made a flying start, earning a penalty in the 8th minute when referee, Masixole Bambiso adjudged that Deano Van Rooyen had clipped the heels of Pule Mmodi as he burst into the Buccaneers’ box. Sirino kept his nerve under huge pressure to dispatch the spot-kick past Sipho Chaine t send the thousands of Amakhosi fans into ecstasy.
The defending champions levelled the scores in the 17th minute when Evidence Makgopa rose to head home Deon Hotto’s free kick from the left flank.
The battle continued as neither Club was willing to take a backward step.
Brandon Petersen saved well from Mohau Nkota in the 35th minute and Dillan Solomons had a header saved as he met Sirino’s pass a minute into first-half stoppage time as the teams went into the break at 1-1.
The cut-and-thrust of this end-to-end encounter continued after the resumption of play and the tension in the stands matched that on the pitch, with the game balanced on a knife edge.
On 57 minutes, Wandile Duba was put into space by Sirino but perhaps ought to have passed to the better placed Glody Lilepo instead of shooting against a defender.
Coach Nabi sent on Ashley Du Preez and Mduduzi Shabalala with around 20 minutes remaining and the pair injected energy and impetus into the Chiefs side, ultimately proving decisive.
Pule Mmodi was unlucky to see his 78th minute volley strike a upright, as Pirates began to wane and two minutes later, Shabalala combined with Du Preez, whose cross was met on the volley by Maart from just inside the box, and the ball flew past Chiene to nestle in the bottom corner of his goal.
Amakhosi dealt comfortably with the expected onslaught from a desperate Buccaneers team, with Petersen’s outstanding save from Hotto’s 89th minute free kick the only scare until the referee brought the curtain down after five minutes of added time.
This victor will be celebrated by Amakhosi supporters the world over, a fanbase like no other that has demonstrated committed loyalty to the Club throughout this barren period, and hopefully it marks the first step in the restoration of the Mighty Amakhosi to the summit of the beautiful game.
Line-ups
Chiefs XI: Petersen (1), Kwinika (4), Inacio (84) Dove (2), Solomons (18), Maart © (8) (Castillo (17) 88’), Cele (21) (Mthethwa (5) 63’), Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99) (Matlou (22) 88’), Sirino (10) (Shabalala (42) 73’), Duba (36) (Du Preez (9) 73’)
Subs: Ntwari (30), Mashiane (19), Ngcobo (12), Morris (40)
Coach: Nasreddine Nabi
Pirates XI: Chaine (24), Sibisi (5), Mbokazi (44), Van Rooyen (3) (Shandu (26) 86’), Masangwanyi (28), Mbatha (16), Makhaula (8) (Dlamini (18) 74’), Mofokeng (38), Nkota (33) (Kimvuidi (25) 74’), Hotto (7), Makgopa (17) (Mabasa (19) 62’)
Subs: Buthelezi (35), Selepe (47), Radiopane (42), Mako (29), Xoki (27)
Coach: Jose Riveiro
