Nedbank Cup semifinal coaches in the spotlight

The four remaining coaches in the 2025 Nedbank Cup will be dreaming of lifting the trophy this year, with one seeking a third title in succession and the others all seeking their maiden title having joined their clubs this season.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is seeking his hat-trick of trophy wins as his defending champions face Marumo Gallants, who are headed their new Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, on Sunday at 3pm.

Later that same evening Mamelodi Sundowns’ Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso will pit his wits against Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi, who is hoping to end his side’s 10-year wait for a piece of silverware. That game kicks-off at 6pm.

Here is a look at the four coaches and their Nedbank Cup record.

MIGUEL CARDOSO

Nedbank Cup record: P3 W3 D0 L0

Cardoso took over Sundowns this season and has been in charge of all three of their games in the Nedbank Cup in what is his debut campaign in the PSL.

The Portuguese coach led The Brazilians to wins over Sibanye Golden Stars (5-2), Mpheni Home Defenders (2-0) and Sekhukhune United (1-0), and also has them into the semifinals of the CAF Champions League. The 52-year-old has yet to win a cup trophy in his coaching career, having led Esperance to the Tunisian Ligue 1 title in 2023-24.

NASREDDINE NABI

Nedbank Cup record: P2 W2 D0 L0

Tunisian Nabi is also in his first season in the PSL and hoping to end Chiefs’ trophy drought. The Nedbank Cup would be a mighty prize for a team that has not lifted the trophy for 12, or silverware of any sort since 2015.

Performances from the side have been mixed, but they are through to the last-4 in South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition. Nabi was not on the bench for the 4-0 win over Free Agents as he served a suspension but was in charge when they defeated Chippa United 3-0 in the Last 16, and the 3-1 away win against Stellenbosch FC in the quarterfinals.

He is a two-time winner of the Tanzanian FA Cup with Young Africans.

ABDESLAM OUADDOU

Nedbank Cup record: P1 W0 D1 L0

Moroccan Ouaddou joined Marumo Gallants in March so is new to the club and the league but has done well to improve the fortunes of the Free State side. His one and only Nedbank Cup game so far was the penalty shoot-out victory over Durban City in the quarterfinals. He will have his side fired up as underdogs for their clash on Sunday with Pirates. He is looking to win his first trophy as a manager.

JOSE RIVEIRO

Nedbank Cup record: P13 W11 D2 L0

Riveiro is already a Pirates legend as he prepares to exit the club at the end of the season. He has won two Nedbank Cups in 2023 and 2024, and three MTN8s, and is looking to be the first coach to win three titles in a row in South Africa’s FA Cup.

He has Pirates played as a well-oiled machine, with every player knowing their roles to the tee. He has also developed a squad that knows how to win knockout games of football and already holds the record for the most Nedbank Cup games unbeaten as a coach with 13, with two draws in there.