The Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is going to be quite the affair. No matter what else happens in the league, itโs set to be the biggest match in the South African football season in terms of the occasion and participants.
Chiefsโ season, which looked to be dying a slow death, has suddenly been resurrected following their remarkable semi-final win over Mamelodi Sundowns. Suddenly there is silverware to play for, while a place in the CAF Confederation Cup is more than just a pipe dream.
For all Sundownsโ dominance and star quality, a Soweto derby on May 10 at Durbanโs Moses Mabhida Stadium is the sponsors, broadcasters and the fansโ dream final. It just doesnโt get any bigger than that.
Itโs going to be much bigger than their dress rehearsal the weekend before final, as the team play each other in a league match where they only things at stake will be bragging rights and a psychological advantage heading into the showpiece match.
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Kaizer Chiefs registered a 2โฃโ1โฃ victory over Mamelodi Sundowns to secure their spot in the #NedbankCup Final!#SABCSportFootball pic.twitter.com/nlSMmqXLl5
Essentially, Chiefs are just playing to try and secure a top-eight finish after a rollercoaster campaign in Nasreddine Nabiโs first season in charge of Amakhosi. With eight wins, six draws and 10 defeats, the Soweto giants are currently 16 points behind Pirates and can realistically only dent Piratesโ league title aspirations.
But Chiefs showed against Sundowns that, on their day, they can be a dangerous proposition. Their strong finish in the match against Sundowns would also have grabbed Jose Riveiroโs teamโs attention.
Sundowns have played an enormous amount of football over the last few months, as they are fighting on all fronts. The defending league champions have had some tough matches in Africa in the CAF Champions League, following their battle with Esperance of Tunisia in the quarter-final to reach the last four.
Sundowns looked rather leggy in the final stages against Chiefs and made two uncharacteristic errors that led to both of Chiefsโ goals.
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โ SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) April 13, 2025
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Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says they were mentally strong, and that's how they overcame Mamelodi Sundowns!#SABCSportFootball #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/58zA1RpSgO
Pirates may encounter the same problem ahead of the final, as they are also fighting on all fronts. Pirates are still fighting for the league domestically, while they also have a two-legged CAF Champions League semi-final against Egyptian side Pyramids to come over the next few weeks.
Chiefs will essentially play once a week before the Nedbank Cup final with only domestic travel, while Pirates have a tough trip to Egypt and will play at least four times before they get to the showpiece match.
Chiefsโ press hasnโt always worked well this season, but it was effective against Sundowns. If they play with the same intensity and pressure against Pirates, they could end up breaking their decade-long trophy drought.
All-in-all, Nabi and Chiefs will be licking their lips for what could be a weary Pirates come cup final day.
@JohnGoliath82