PIC: Mandla Ncikazi

Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says Soweto rivals Kazier Chiefs are the favourites to win the 2025 Nedbank Cup final when the teams clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Pirates have won their last five meetings in a row with the AmaKhosi, including this past weekend when they come from behind to earn a 2-1 victory in Soweto.

And they are unbeaten in almost three seasons of the Nedbank Cup, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2024, but Ncikazi is adamant there are other factors to consider.
“I would love for Moses Mabhida to be our happy hunting ground. But history says the last time the two teams competed in a cup final was in September 2014, Chiefs won the game, the MTN8. They were the last winners at the Moses Mabhida Stadium,” Ncikazi told reporters on Thursday.

“We will give it our best shot, but we are not the favourites. Being a favourite, it is very subjective; it depends on how you want to look at it.

“Chiefs are a well-rested team. If you look at the number of games we have played (this season), we have played 48 games, and they have played 34 games.”
Pirates played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday when they defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 2-1 in the Betway Premiership. Ncikazi says having that fixture has been another disadvantage for his team.

“Chiefs had a whole week of preparations. We don’t want to fall into the fallacy of thinking that we are the favourites, we are not, but Chiefs are the favourites,” he said.

Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro is seeking his third win in a row in the Nedbank Cup, having had Ncikazi by his side throughout.

The Spaniard has already confirmed he is leaving at the end of the season as he seeks a new adventure.

“Coach Riveiro is a very unique individual. He’s more than just a coach, he goes further than that. He is highly professional,” Ncikazi said.

“He takes his job very seriously. Riveiro is neither too happy nor too disappointed because where there are too many expectations, there is always room for disappointment.

“I always think that it helps the young players to perform without fear. Whether the results are good or bad, he is still the same.

“He is professional, prepares well, analyses games, and doesn’t rely on analysts, which is a new trend in our teams. He does things for himself so he can create his game plan.”