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Fans of the Kaizer Chiefs will be delighted to hear about their team’s strong history in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium, an encouraging prospect as they prepare for the Nedbank Cup final.
Chiefs secured their spot in the Nedbank Cup final with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
The Pirates, who have clinched the tournament title in the past two seasons, managed a narrow victory over Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium in the earlier semi-final clash. This sets the stage for an exciting confrontation between the two Soweto powerhouses for the Nedbank Cup trophy in Durban on May 10, a match expected to attract a full house.
While Pirates have enjoyed success under their departing coach Jose Riveiro, securing three MTN8 titles at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Chiefs have historically outperformed Pirates in derbies held in Durban.
The teams first met at Moses Mabhida Stadium during the 2009/10 Telkom Knockout semi-final on April 5, 2010. This match acted as a test event for the stadium just months ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
At that time, Chiefs, under coach Vladimir Vermezovic, won 3-0 on penalties after the match ended in a scoreless draw. Amakhosi later lifted the trophy, defeating Cape Town Spurs 2-0 at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, with goals from Knowledge Musona and Mandla Masango.
The teams met again at the same venue during the 2014/15 MTN8 final, where Chiefs triumphed once more thanks to a free-kick from George Maluleka, which capitalized on defensive mistakes from Pirates, allowing Tefu Mashamaite to score past the late Senzo Meyiwa.
Pirates, then under Vermezovic’s management, expressed disappointment during the post-match press conference, marking Chiefs’ last domestic cup victory under Stuart Baxter.
They encountered each other again in the 2018/19 Telkom Knockout semi-final on November 24, 2018, at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Despite having lost their previous two matches there, Pirates won this time 2-1, with goals from Thembinkosi Lorch and the late Justice Shonga.
However, Pirates fell to Baroka in the final, losing on penalties at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
A thrilling 2-2 draw unfolded in the 2019/20 Telkom Knockout quarter-final on November 2, 2019, at the same venue. Leonardo Castro and Daniel Cardoso scored for Chiefs, while Fortune Makaringe and Gabadinho Mhango netted for Pirates.
Chiefs, led by Ernst Middendorp, who had an unbeaten record in the Soweto Derby during his two stints, won the match 4-2 on penalties.
Nevertheless, Chiefs were ousted by Maritzburg United in the semi-finals, with Maritzburg eventually losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the final, also held at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Since then, Pirates and Chiefs have not faced each other at the iconic Durban venue.
To lift the spirits of Amakhosi fans, Chiefs also triumphed over Pirates in their last Nedbank Cup encounter back in 2006, then known as the Absa Cup, at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
Although Pirates, under interim coach Teboho Moloi, started strongly with Joseph Makhanya and Siyabonga Nomvethe hitting the post, the Chiefs displayed resilience and secured the trophy on penalties.
This victory occurred during Middendorp’s initial period with Chiefs.
