Pirates lose to Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final

Yusuf Maart netted a stunning winning goal as Kaizer Chiefs triumphed over Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.

The outcome allows the Amakhosi to secure their first significant trophy since 2015, when they clinched the Premiership title during coach Stuart Baxter’s initial term, while the Buccaneers fell short of matching their own record of three consecutive National Cup victories.

The Chiefs received a controversial penalty early in the match when Pule Mmodi seemed to be brought down by Deano van Rooyen. Gaston Sirino stepped up to take the penalty and struck a precise low shot into the bottom corner, putting his team ahead 1-0 in the 10th minute.

Pirates quickly equalized at 1-1 in just seven minutes, as Evidence Makgopa, who netted the equalizer in the previous league match between the teams, delivered a powerful header following a well-placed free kick from Deon Hotto.

The Buccaneers came close to taking the lead on 35 minutes when Mohau Nkota cut inside from the right and unleashed a low shot on target, but Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen executed a quick save at his near post.

The score held steady at 1-1 through halftime and into the second half, with the Pirates making their first substitution shortly after the hour mark, replacing Makgopa with Tshegofatso Mabasa. In response, the Chiefs brought on the tough midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa.

The Amakhosi experienced a significant period of pressure with approximately 15 minutes left in regulation time, highlighted by Mmodi’s impressive volley that struck the post in the 78th minute, following excellent contributions from fellow substitute Mduduzi Shabalala.

Just two minutes later, the team in gold and black found their reward with a second goal. Yusuf Maart connected with Ashley du Preez’s cross from the right side of the penalty area and delivered a low strike with his left foot, bringing the score to 2-1.

Pirates pressed intensely in the final moments for an equaliser, nearly succeeding through Hotto, who delivered a well-placed shot on target directly from a free kick, only to be thwarted by a brilliant save from Petersen.

Mabasa also executed a glancing header from a corner kick that flashed across the goal mouth, narrowly missing the far post.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 2 (Sirino 10’ pen, Maart 80’)

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Makgopa 17’)

Chiefs: Petersen, Solomons, Kwinika, Miguel, Dove, Maart (Castillo 88’), Cele (Mthethwa 63’), Lilepo (Matlou 88’), Sirino (Shabalala 73’), Mmodi, Duba (Du Preez 73’)

Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen (Shandu 86’), Sibisi, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula (Dlamini 74’), Mbatha, Nkota (Kimvuidi 74’), Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Makgopa (Mabasa 62’)