Orlando Pirates were the favorites heading into the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, but Kaizer Chiefs delivered a strong performance, securing a 2-1 victory and ending their long trophy drought.
Goals from Gaston Sirino and Yusuf Maart handed Amakhosi their first win over the Buccaneers in six meetings. After defeating Chiefs just the week before in the Betway Premiership, Pirates were confident about claiming their sixth trophy under coach Jose Riveiro. However, their hopes were dashed as the Spaniard’s final season with the club ended with only an MTN8 trophy to show for it.
What Went Wrong for Orlando Pirates?
Poor Substitutions
In the second half, the Buccaneers struggled, especially in the final moments of the match. They responded quickly after conceding early, with Evidence Makgopa scoring a header to level the game. While Pirates looked dominant in the first half and appeared more likely to score, their finishing let them down. Coach Riveiro made some questionable substitutions, bringing on Kabelo Dlamini and Tshegofatso Mabasa for Makhehlene Makhaula and Makgopa, but neither player made a significant impact.
Lack of Creativity in Midfield
The midfield trio of Makhaula, Thalente Mbatha, and Patrick Maswanganyi looked promising on paper, but they struggled to make an impact. Tito didn’t contribute much, and Mbatha often found himself out of position, leading to unnecessary turnovers. Many fans believed the midfield combination that had secured victory in the previous week’s derby should have started.
Lack of Hunger
Despite playing well compared to their previous match, Chiefs didn’t completely dominate the final. After losing their lead in the 17th minute, Amakhosi looked vulnerable for much of the first half, with Pirates pushing hard to take advantage. But after enduring constant pressure, Chiefs started to regain control. The introduction of Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley Du Preez brought a fresh burst of energy, and Amakhosi began to look like a team that knew how to win finals again.
Ultimately, Pirates failed to maintain control, often giving away possession while trying to build from the back. Chiefs capitalized on this when Mbokazi’s pass was intercepted, leading to a goal.
For Orlando Pirates, this loss marks their first defeat in a final in six years. Reflecting on the season, it will be seen as a failure, with key losses in the CAF Champions League and Betway Premiership adding to their disappointment.
