Advertisement

NEDBANK CUP WRAP: Pirates, Chiefs set up first Soweto derby final in almost 20 years

football13 April 2025 18:06| © Backpage TXT
Share

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs won through their respective Nedbank Cup ties on Sunday to set up the first Soweto derby final in the competition for almost 20 years.

The teams last met in the National Cup final in 2006 – when the competition was known as the Absa Cup – with Chiefs triumphing on penalties after the match ended 0-0 after extra time.

In Sunday’s first match, played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Pirates edged Marumo Gallants 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from Kabelo Dlamini.

The victory means the Buccaneers have kept alive their hopes of winning the Nedbank Cup for a third straight year – which would see them match the feat of the Pirates team which won the tournament, when it was known as the Life Challenge Cup, three straight times in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

This is the only instance of back-to-back-to-back National Cup triumphs in South African football history.

The second semi was played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium and saw Chiefs secure a stunning, come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Brazilians looked set to continue their dominance over Chiefs when Teboho Mokoena put them ahead in injury time before the break, but Wandile Duba capitalised on a defensive mistake to level the game in the second half, and substitute Ashley Du Preez struck late on to complete the turnaround.

For the Amakhosi, the victory keeps alive their hope of ending a decade-long wait for a trophy.

Pirates and Chiefs are scheduled to meet in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday 10 May at the Moses Mabhida Stadium

NEDBANK CUP SEMIFINAL RESULTS

SUNDAY 13 April

Orlando Pirates 1-0 Marumo Gallants

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs

Advertisement