sportskeeda
Orlando Pirates are currently on an impressive unbeaten streak of 14 matches in the Nedbank Cup. The crucial question now is whether their rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, can put an end to this remarkable run.
Throughout this exceptional period, the Pirates have secured victories against significant opponents, notably Mamelodi Sundowns, a team they have frequently found challenging.
Even the once-dominant SuperSport United, known as the “cup kings” and the first to win the Nedbank Cup consecutively, have succumbed to the Soweto giants.
Since his appointment as head coach in June 2022, Jose Riveiro has maintained an unbeaten record in the Nedbank Cup, highlighting his team’s consistent performance in the tournament. This notable 14-match unbeaten streak includes a prior victory against their upcoming adversaries, Kaizer Chiefs, whom they are set to face at the legendary Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:30.
Pirates previously triumphed over the Amakhosi in a thrilling semi-final during the 2022/23 edition, securing a victory in extra time at FNB Stadium.
The final from last year was a gripping encounter, with Sundowns failing to breach the Pirates’ defense at Mbombela Stadium. A brilliant play by young Relebohile Mofokeng in the closing moments led to a stinging defeat for Sundowns.
Mofokeng skillfully dispossessed Bongani Zungu, rolling the ball between Zungu’s legs before confidently putting it past Ronwen Williams, thereby securing the Nedbank Cup trophy for the Pirates for an unprecedented fourth time under the bank’s sponsorship.
The last team to overcome Pirates in this competition was Marumo Gallants in the 2021/22 season, who triumphed 5-4 in a penalty shootout during the round of 16 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Interestingly, Philip Ndlondlo, now a midfielder for Orlando Pirates, netted a penalty for Gallants in the 20th minute of that match, before Bandile Shandu equalized for Pirates just ten minutes later.
Both Ndlondlo and Miguel Timm, if selected for Saturday’s final, could appear in their fifth Nedbank Cup final. Notably, Ndlondlo scored a spectacular goal for Gallants, then known as TTM, when they defeated Chippa United in Bloemfontein to lift the trophy in the 2020/21 season.
This duo was also part of the Gallants squad that defeated Pirates in the round of 16 during the 2021/22 season, marking Pirates’ last loss in the competition. The Gallants went on to lose to Sundowns in that year’s final.
Having already claimed two Nedbank Cup titles with Pirates in the last two seasons, Ndlondlo and Timm are just one final away from matching the record set by Kermit Erasmus, who has an impressive history in this tournament, featuring in six finals and winning five with three different clubs.
Erasmus first lifted the Nedbank Cup with SuperSport United during the 2011/12 season, scoring in the final against Sundowns at Orlando Stadium. The following season, still with SuperSport under Gavin Hunt, they faced a 1-0 defeat to Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Bernard Parker netting a memorable goal.
After joining Orlando Pirates in 2013 under Vladimir Vermezovic, Erasmus reached another final in the 2013/14 season, where the Bucs triumphed over Hunt’s Bidvest Wits at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Erasmus also secured a Nedbank Cup title with Sundowns during the 2021/22 season, under the management of co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena, denying Timm and Ndlondlo’s Gallants a shot at victory in the final at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
