Nedbank Cup will have a Soweto derby final!
13/04/2025 20:31
South Africa's Nedbank Cup will have a Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the final next month after the two teams won through their respective ties on Sunday.
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 31 May, at a venue to be announced by the Premier Soccer League.
Nedbank Cup semifinal results
Sunday 13 April
Orlando Pirates 1-0 Marumo Gallants
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
