Pirates Reach Third Nedbank Cup Final In A Row

Orlando Pirates are through to the final of the Nedbank Cup for the third time in a row following their 1-0 win against Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Kabelo Dlamini scored the winning goal for the Buccaneers in the first half with a great assist from Patrick Maswanganyi.

The Buccaneers made four changes on Sunday to their team that started against MC Alger in the second-leg quarterfinal of the CAF Champions League during the week.

Sipho Chaine, Tapelo Xoki, and Relebohile Mofokeng started on the bench, while Thalente Mbatha was not available even in the matchday squad.

Melusi Buthelezi, Paseka Mako, Dlamini as well and the 2023/24 midfielder of the season Patrick Maswanganyi started the game.

Despite the four changes, the 2024 MTN 8 champions started the game on a high foot as they almost got a goal in the first 10 minutes of the game through Deano Van Rooyen.

Pirates continued with their dominance, searching for the first goal, and fortunately, they opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Dlamini after combining well with Maswanganyi.

The visitors pulled up their socks after 30 minutes, trying to equalize, and they almost got a goal on the stroke of half-time, but Buthelezi made a great save, denying Edgar Manaka an opportunity to score.

In the second-half, both these two rivals came back very stronger again but unfortunately no one managed to score at least one goal in the first 10 minutes.

The Buccaneers made their first substitutions in the 62nd minute, introducing Mofokeng and Ndayithethwa Ndlondlo for Mohau Nkota and the goalscorer Dlamini, respectively

Pirates almost scored the second goal in the 70th minute after the Gallants made a mistake, but unfortunately, the home side failed to increase the lead.

Five minutes later, the home side decided to rest Evidence Makgopa, introducing the 23/24 DStv Premiership top goal scorer of the season, Tshegofatso Mabasa. Three minutes after Mabasa was introduced, he almost got a goal, but his ball was cleared off the line by the visitors.

In the 85th minute, Washington Arubi made a great save denying Deon Hotto to score the second goal for Pirates. Arubi made another save in the 87th minute, making sure Mofokeng didn’t score.

The Buccaneers are going to the final of the Nedbank Cup for the third time in a row. Pirates were the champions of this competition in the last two seasons, beating Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

Riveiro’s side will face the winner between Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns in the final. Chiefs and Sundowns will face each other on Sunday evening in the semifinal of this competition at Loftus Stadium.