Orlando Pirates are currently on an impressive 14-match unbeaten run in the Nedbank Cup. The question on everyone’s mind is whether their rivals, Kaizer Chiefs, can be the team to break this streak.  

Throughout this dominant period, Pirates have overcome formidable opponents, including Mamelodi Sundowns, a club they have historically found difficult to defeat.

Even SuperSport United, previously known as the “cup kings” and the first team to win the Nedbank Cup in two consecutive seasons, have fallen short against the Soweto giants.

Since taking over as coach in June 2022, Jose Riveiro has yet to experience a loss in the Nedbank Cup, highlighting his team’s consistent performance in the tournament. This incredible 14-game winning streak includes a victory against their upcoming final adversaries, Kaizer Chiefs, whom they will face at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 15:30.

Pirates previously edged out Amakhosi in a thrilling semi-final of the 2022/23 edition, securing a victory in extra time at FNB Stadium.

Last year’s final saw a dramatic encounter where Sundowns were unable to break Pirates’ resolve at Mbombela Stadium. A moment of brilliance from young Relebohile Mofokeng in the dying minutes sealed a painful defeat for Sundowns.

He cleverly dispossessed Bongani Zungu, rolling the ball between Zungu’s legs before confidently slotting it past Ronwen Williams, securing the Nedbank Cup trophy for Pirates for a record fourth time under the commercial bank’s sponsorship.

The last club to taste victory against Pirates in this competition was Marumo Gallants in the 2021/22 season. They triumphed 5-4 in a penalty shootout in the round of 16 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Interestingly, Philip Ndlondlo, now a midfielder for Orlando Pirates, scored a penalty for Gallants in the 20th minute of that match, before Bandile Shandu equalized for Pirates ten minutes later.

Both Ndlondlo and Miguel Timm, should they be selected for Saturday’s final, could be involved in their fifth Nedbank Cup final. Ndlondlo notably scored a stunning 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 side that defeated Pirates in the round of 16 in the 2021/22 season, which remains Pirates’ last loss in the competition. Gallants went on to lose to Sundowns in that year’s final.

Having already secured two Nedbank Cup titles with Pirates in the past two seasons, Ndlondlo and Timm are just one final appearance short of matching the record of Kermit Erasmus. Erasmus has an impressive history in the competition, having played in six finals and won five with three different clubs.

Erasmus first won the Nedbank Cup with SuperSport United in the 2011/12 season, scoring in the final against Sundowns at Orlando Stadium. The following season, while still with Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport, they lost 1-0 to Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Bernard Parker scoring a memorable goal.

Upon joining Orlando Pirates in 2013 under Vladimir Vermezovic, Erasmus reached another final in the 2013/14 season, this time the Bucs defeating Hunt’s Bidvest Wits at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, scoring twice.

Erasmus also added a Nedbank Cup winners’ medal with Sundowns in the 2021/22 season, under the co-coaching duo of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rulani Mokwena, denying Timm and Ndlondlo’s Gallants a victory in the final at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.