Kaizer Chiefs turned on the style with a late show of might to beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 and win the Nedbank Cup to end their 10-year trophy drought.
In the highly-billed tie at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the latest installment of Soweto Derby delivered fully with drama from both sides as Yusuf Maat proved to be the match winner for Chiefs with a beautifully worked goal very late in the game.
Just like last week, Chiefs scored first when Pule Mmodi was brought down in the box by Deano van Rooyen.
The Pirates full-back clipped the heels of Mmodi when he got into the box after receiving a great pass from Wandile Duba and the referee pointed to the spot. Gaston Sirino stepped up and scored the penalty, giving Chiefs a 10th minute lead.
However, Amakhosi’s advantage lasted seven minutes before Pirates drew level, Evidence Makgopa scoring against Chiefs for the second time in a week.
Makgopa heads past Petersen
A well-taken freekick from Deon Hotto saw the striker head home from the back post after jumping over everyone to score past Brandon Petersen, who was preferred in goal by coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Pirates should have gone ahead in the 34th minute when Mohau Nkota was fed by Van Rooyen, cut in before firing low on his stronger left foot, but his attempt was saved for a corner.
It led to a 1-1 draw at halftime but after the break, Chiefs were the dominant team and had a chance to go ahead in the 75th minute when Mduduzi Shabalala, who had come on for Sirino, sent in a low shot after stealing the ball from Mbekelezi Mbokazi and two minutes later Mmodi missed a sitter.
A good exchange of passes saw the ball fall kindly to Mmodi, who was unmarked in the box, but he fired wide on the half volley.
By this time, Chiefs were bossing Pirates and spent time in the Buc’ box, their enterprising display yielding handsome dividends shortly after.
How did Chiefs stun Pirates?
A neat exchange of passes between substitutes Shabalala and Ashely Du Preez saw them find Maart on the edge of the box and the Chiefs captain sent in a great ball that flew past Sipho Chaine in the Pirates goal for 2-1 in favour of Chiefs.
This was 10 minutes from time and the Glamour Boys held on to claim victory, ending Pirates’ reign as Nedbank Cup winners in the last two seasons, while Nabi silenced his critics by winning a trophy in his first season.
It is the first trophy for Chiefs since their PSL title in 2015 and puts a silver lining to what has been a terrible season in the league, earning them a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
Pirates, meanwhile, will end the season that promised so much with just one trophy, the MTN8, after their CAF Champions League semi-final exit and the PSL all but gone with Mamelodi Sundowns with coach Jose Riveiro leaving the club not in the manner he would have wished.
