PIC: Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate their 2022 Nedbank Cup final win

As we look ahead to the 2023 Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld stadium on May 27 (kick-off 18h00), it is worth a recap of the previous 15 deciders down the years.

There has been no shortage of drama, agony and ecstasy, and this year’s final will no doubt add another chapter to this rich history. 

2008 – Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Mpumalanga Black Aces

Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned champions in Nedbank’s inaugural year of sponsorship after they defeated plucky National First Division side Mpumalanga Black Aces 1-0 in the final at the Johannesburg Stadium. It took a Lerato Chabangu goal three minutes from time to separate the teams as Black Aces threatened yet another upset with an excellent display in the decider.

2009 – Moroka Swallows 1-0 University of Pretoria

For the second year running a side from the National First Division made the final of the Nedbank Cup but again they would fall just short. University of Pretoria had a thrilling run on their way to a meeting with Moroka Swallows at the Rand Stadium in the decider. But they would lose 1-0 after a goal from The Birds’ Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Da Silva. 

2010 – BidVest Wits 3-0 AmaZulu

The final of the 2010 Nedbank Cup was played at the magnificent new Soccer City, the first competitive fixture to be hosted at the iconic venue that months later would stage the FIFA World Cup final. BidVest Wits were victorious with a 3-0 success over AmaZulu, who appeared in their sixth final in the competition, all of which have ended in defeat. Brazilian midfielder Fabricio Rodrigues scored to go with a brace from Sifiso Vilakazi to hand Wits the win.

2011 – Orlando Pirates 3-1 Black Leopards

The 2011 Nedbank Cup will forever be remembered for the run of then third-tier side Baroka FC to the semi-finals, but it was Orlando Pirates who lifted the trophy. Pirates defeated second-tier Black Leopards 3-1 in the decider after falling behind to a Rooi Mahamutsa own goal. Isaac Chansa restored parity before a brace from Thulasizwe Mbuyane sealed the win for The Buccaneers.

2012 – SuperSport United 2-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

SuperSport United won an all-Tshwane final as they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the decider. Thabo September and Kermit Erasmus scored in each half to hand Matsatsantsa victory, and deservedly so as they outplayed their rivals on the day. The tournament will also be remembered for the record victory in South African professional football as Sundowns thumped fourth-tier Northern Cape side Powerlines FC 24-0.

2013 – Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 SuperSport United

Kaizer Chiefs claimed the 2013 Nedbank Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over defending champions SuperSport United in the final, Bernard Parker grabbing the only goal in extra-time. The biggest shock of the tournament came when third-tier Maluti FET College from the Free State thumped Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the Last 32, arguably the biggest upset in the history of the Nedbank Cup competition.

2014 – Orlando Pirates 3-1 BidVest Wits

Orlando Pirates made up for their bitter disappointment the year before by claiming the Nedbank Cup in 2014 after beating BidVest Wits 3-1 in the final. It was a third final in succession for Wits coach Gavin Hunt, who had joined The Clever Boys from SuperSport at the start of the season. Jabulani Shongwe had given Wits the lead, before a brace from Kermit Erasmus and another goal from former Clever Boy Sifiso Myeni sealed the cup for Pirates. 

2015 – Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 Ajax Cape Town

Mamelodi Sundowns edged Ajax Cape Town’s youngsters in a penalty shoot-out after the teams had played to a 0-0 draw at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. Ajax’s Abbubaker Mobara had the opportunity to win it in the shoot-out, but when he missed, Sundowns held their nerve to claim the title.

2016 – SuperSport United 3-2 Orlando Pirates

SuperSport United claimed their second Nedbank Cup title in four years when they defeated Orlando Pirates 3-2 in a pulsating final played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Luvuyo Memela gave Pirates an early lead, before Jeremy Brockie, Bradley Grobler and Michael Boxall sent SuperSport into halftime 3-1 up. A Clayton Daniels own goal early in the second period, as well as an injury to first-choice keeper Ronwen Williams, set up a pulsating finish, but Pirates could not grab an equaliser.

2017 – SuperSport United 4-1 Orlando Pirates

SuperSport United became the first, and to date only, side to win back-to-back Nedbank Cup titles as they again defeated Orlando Pirates in the decider, this time thumping The Buccaneers 4-1 in the final played in Durban. Bradley Grobler scored a brace for Matsatsantsa, while Jeremy Brockie and Kingston Nkhatha were also on target. Brockie also missed a penalty in the game as Oupa Manyisa netted a late consolation for Pirates from the spot.

2018 – Free State Stars 1-0 Maritzburg United

Free State Stars made history when they lifted the Nedbank Cup for the first time, beating fellow surprise finalists Maritzburg United 1-0 in a dazzling decider at the Cape Town Stadium. Goodman Dlamini scored the only goal of the game just before halftime to secure the trophy for Stars, who also booked a place in African club competition for the first time in their history.

2019 – TS Galaxy 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

Second-tier TS Galaxy shocked South African football as they became the first club from outside the top-flight to lift the Nedbank Cup trophy, defeating fancied Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the decider in Durban. The game looked as though it was headed for extra-time before Zakhele Lepasa converted as late penalty for Galaxy to spark wild scenes of celebrations for the history-making Rockets.

2020 – Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Bloemfontein Celtic

A season like no other that had a five-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nedbank Cup final finally took place on September 12, some 220 days after the start of the competition. Mamelodi Sundowns earned their first title win in five years as they edged first-time finalists Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 thanks to a cracking strike from Gaston Sirino on 80 minutes. The match was played at an empty Orlando Stadium with no fans allowed.

2021 – TTM 1-0 Chippa United
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), who would later be rebranded Marumo Gallants, were surprise Nedbank Cup winners under coach Dylan Kerr as they defeated Chippa United 1-0 in the decider. The hero of the day was Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, whose deflected shot was the only goal of the game and will be hoping for a repeat performance for new club Pirates this year.  

2022 – Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Marumo Gallants

Mamelodi Sundowns regained the Nedbank Cup title by defeating holders Marumo Gallants 2-1 after extra-time in the decider at the Free State Stadium. Peter Shalulile put Sundowns ahead just past the half-hour mark, but Ivorian forward Sede Dion equalised for the Limpopo outfit. It looked like the final would be heading for penalties before Thapelo Morena scored a 120^th minute winner for The Brazilians, this after the previous year’s final hero, Gallants’ Ndlondlo, had been sent off for two bookable offences.