Kaizer Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday looking to end their 10-year trophy drought.
Chiefs have endured a painful season so far but the Nedbank Cup offers them an opportunity to save their campaign and bring back the smiles on supporters’ faces although they face a Pirates team that has won all their last five cup finals.
To add onto it, Pirates have also won the last five Soweto Derbies, doing a double on Chiefs in back-to-back seasons, and are still basking in the glory of last week’s 2-1 victory over Amakhosi in the PSL.
However, amidst many things that play in the Buccaneers favour, there is still a lot that gives Chiefs hope of a win.
Return of key Chiefs players
Coach Nasreddine Nabi is set to receive a massive boost with the return of defender Miguel Inacio, midfielder Thabo Cele and forward Wandile Duba.
Inacio and Cele missed last weekend’s loss due to injuries while Duba was suspended and in their absence, Chiefs struggled both in midfield and defence as Zitha Kwinika and Edmilson Dove had a bad game at centre back.
That will boost Chiefs, elevating the quality in their squad and with the experience of Inacio and Cele, added to the tenacity of Duba, they have an equal chance of getting one over Pirates.
Wandile Duba’s pace offers hope
Meanwhile, Duba’s presence will perhaps lift Chiefs even more given how highly Nabi rates him.
So confident is Nabi in the 20-year-old that he preferred winger Glody Lilepo in attack last weekend when Tashreeq Morris and Ashley Du Preez were available and he will walk straight into the starting XI.
Duba offers great pace on the break and has the ability to get in behind the defence, something he will do on a number of occasions, and as witnessed against Mamelodi Sundowns, when he started the comeback in Chiefs’ semi-final win, he could be the man to unlock the Pirates defence.
Chiefs’ long trophy drought to act as motivation
While both teams badly want the Nedbank Cup, there is no denying that Kaizer Chiefs need it more.
Many will understand if Pirates lose, as they have won the last two and have five trophies in just over two years but for Chiefs, it is now a decade since their last piece of silverware.
A 10-year-wait will therefore serve as great motivation for Kaizer Chiefs to go on and lift the title as they know the pressure and spotlight is on them more than their bitter rivals.
Amakhosi counting on great cup run
While their league form has been terrible, Kaizer Chiefs have enjoyed a great Nedbank Cup run that most fans must be wondering why they cannot translate the same into the PSL.
In the Nedbank Cup, Chiefs are the team with the best run and have scored the most goals, having started with a 4-0 win over Free Agents in the Round of 32, beaten Chippa United 3-0 in the Round 16, secured a 3-1 win over Stellenbosch in the quarter-final before coming from a goal down to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the semis.
That leaves Chiefs heading into the final high on confidence that they can complete the job against Pirates and after those good wins with past top teams like Stellenbosch and Sundowns, Jose Riveiro’s team have every reason to be worried.
Chiefs out prevent hat-trick of derby defeats
Having already lost two Soweto Derbies this season, Chiefs will be out to protect their pride as a third loss to Pirates in the same campaign will simply not smell nice.
Chiefs lost both league meetings, a 1-0 defeat in February and 2-1 last weekend, but both games were close, highlighting why the Glamour Boys are not far off from ending the torrid run.
However, on Saturday, with a trophy at stake, Chiefs will be highly charged to avoid a third defeat not just for their pride but for the supporters.
