By Kopano Dibakwane
The Moses Mabhida Stadium, in KwaZulu-Natal, was a hive of activity during the tense 2025 Nedbank Cup final match that resulted in Kaizer Chiefs lifting their first trophy after 10 years when they shocked their rivals, Orlando Pirates, with a well-deserved 2-1 victory on Saturday 10 May 2025.
The odds were heavily stacked against Amakhosi, following an overall dismal performance in the Betway Premiership and other cup competitions throughout the season.
They went into the game as limping opponents after losing 2-1 against the same Buccaneers in a league game played at the FNB stadium in Gauteng last weekend.
Chiefs attacking-midfielder, Gaston Sirino, clinched a goal from the penalty spot in the 7th minute, after Pule Mmodi was fouled inside the Pirates box.
Pirates fans were not entirely worried as they believed that their team will level matters in no time. They continued to cheer their players on and a breakthrough came for Amabhakaniya in the 17th minute when Evidence Makgopa made good use of a ball supplied from a set-piece by Relebohile Mofokeng.
With the scoreboard on 1-1, Pirates fans were confidently looking forward to an avalanche of goals, but they were in for a big surprise.
Chiefs captain, Yusuf Maart, bravely struck a half-volley that safely landed behind Pirates goalie, Sipho Chaine, in the 79th minute. The goal forced Bucs coach, Jose Riveiro, to make some urgent and desperate changes with the hope to salvage the match, but the day was clearly written in the stars for Amakhosi.
The referee blew his whistle to signal the end of a memorable cup final match and the stadium erupted in loud cheers as Chiefs fans finally secured their biggest trophy after 10 years of trial and error.
Advertisements
