Soweto Derby Steals the Spotlight as Chiefs and Pirates Clash in Nedbank Cup Final

The Orlando Pirates will face off against their rivals, the Kaizer Chiefs, in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, marking the ninth encounter between the two sides at this crucial stage of the competition.

These fierce adversaries clashed just last weekend, with the Pirates securing a 2-1 victory in the PSL, thanks to goals from Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng.

While the Buccaneers have managed to achieve a league double over the Chiefs, both teams are unlikely to contend for the league title, with Mamelodi Sundowns set to clinch their eighth consecutive championship.

This weekend presents an opportunity for both teams to claim silverware, as the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium hosts the Soweto Derby on such a grand stage. This venue also had its moment in the limelight during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosting several matches, including the semi-final between Germany and Spain.

Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium

City: Durban

Kick-off: 3.30 pm (local)

History

The Orlando Pirates were established in 1937, gaining recognition as one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs due to their long-standing presence in the country’s football scene. In contrast, the Kaizer Chiefs were founded in 1970 by Kaizer Motaung Sr, a former player for the Pirates.

The legacy continued with Motaung’s son, who played for the Chiefs and is currently the club’s director of football.

The first cup encounter between these two iconic African football clubs occurred during the 1971 final, ending in a draw. The following week, a replay saw the Chiefs edge a tight contest 2-1 to claim the title.

This marked the beginning of eight finals between the rivals, with the Chiefs triumphing in six of them (1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1984, and 2006), while the Pirates emerged victorious in 1975 and 1988. In total, the two clubs have faced each other 21 times in cup competitions.

Recent History

The Pirates have dominated recent meetings, winning all of their last five encounters against the Chiefs, including a semi-final clash in 2023 that saw the Chiefs eliminated from the cup.

This impressive record means that current Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has never experienced a loss against the Chiefs during his nearly three-year tenure.

This impressive record was the focal point when assistant coach of the Chiefs, Cedric Kaze, was questioned by the media this week.

“We’ve faced them in two tightly contested matches this season,” Kaze stated. “A final is a final and the pressure rests on them as the favourites. We’re pleased to approach this encounter as the underdogs.”

‘Striving for Historic Achievement’

While Kaze maintains that his team is the underdog, a similar sentiment was echoed by Pirates’ assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi during their joint press conference.

“We are not the favourites,” Ncikazi pointed out. “The notion of being favourites is subjective and if you analyse it closely you will see that; firstly – Chiefs were the last team to win the cup final between the two clubs, and secondly – they are a more rested team given the disparity in the number of games played (this season).

“We’ve played 48 matches, while they’ve only played 34. This means they are in better condition due to having played fewer games.”

Chiefs’ Uruguayan star Gaston Sirino, however, embraces the challenge that this weekend’s match presents, expressing his enjoyment of facing such pressure under the bright Durban skies.

“Playing for Kaizer Chiefs is a different experience compared to other clubs,” he remarked. “The pressure is immense due to the larger fanbase and higher expectations.

“I believe we performed well against the Pirates (last Saturday), yet I can understand why our supporters were upset with the result.

“It is important for us to secure a win for our fans. I’m excited that the stadium will be full. I thrive under pressure and am preparing diligently to seize the moment.”

Despite wanting to keep attention under wraps about his side, Ncikazi has warned that the Pirates, the reigning champions of the cup for two consecutive years, are eager for more.

“We are determined to make history and become the first club in PSL history to win the cup three times in a row,” Ncikazi asserted.