PIC: Kaizer Chiefs celebrate their 2025 Nedbank Cup win

Kaizer Chiefs ended a 10-year wait for silverware when they defeated Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 to claim the 2025 Nedbank Cup trophy at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The victory is Chiefs’ first in the Nedbank Cup final since 2013 and ended Pirates’ hopes of a third straight title in South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition.
It is also a first loss in 15 games for Pirates coach Jose Riveiro in the Nedbank Cup as he departs the club at the end of the season.

Skipper Yusuf Maart drilled home a dramatic 80th minute winner to send the majority of a capacity 55,000-strong crowd into delirious celebration.

Pirates had the better of the exchanges after conceding a penalty in the 10th minute, from which Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Sirino put Chiefs into an early lead.

Pirates took only seven minute to equalise with Evidence Makgopa heading home a freekick from the Namibian wingback Deon Hotto.

The Buccaneers then controlled the game, looking to put behind them the heartbreak of losing their CAF Champions League semi-final last month to Pyramids of Egypt.

But second half changes for Chiefs turned the game, especially after the introduction of their diminutive midfielder Mdu Shabalala, who had a hand in setting up the winner. It was, however, a ball pulled back by fellow sub Ashley du Preez that fell sweetly for Maart on the edge of the box to rifle home on the full volley with his left foot.

The win means Chiefs have booked a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup as one of South Africa’s two representatives.

NEDBANK CUP FINAL RESULT

Saturday, May 10
Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Sirino 10’pen, Maart 80’) Orlando Pirates 1 (Makgopa 17’)

TOURNAMENT STATS 

Matches Played: 30

Goals Scored: 91

Biggest Victory: TS Galaxy 7 CR Vasco Da Gama 0 (Last 32, January 29)

Most Goals in a Game: 7 – Mamelodi Sundowns 5 Sibanye Golden Stars 2 (Last 32, January 25); TS Galaxy 7 CR Vasco Da Gama 0 (Last 32, January 29)

GOALSCORERS

4 goals – Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs)

3 goals – Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Inacio Miguel (Kaizer Chiefs), Sandile Mthethwa (AmaZulu), Dzenan Zajmovic (TS Galaxy)

2 goals – Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Linda Mntambo (Sekhukhune United), Therlo Moosa (Cape Town Spurs), Thokozani Sibanyoni (TS Galaxy), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)

1 goal – Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keenan Bezuidenhout (Cape Town Spurs), Menzi Chili (Milford FC), Ranga Chivaviro (Kaizer Chiefs), Lindokuhle Chonco (Durban City), Clyde Combi (Baroka FC), Raymond Daniels (Polokwane City), Andre De Jong (Stellenbosch FC), Kabelo Dlamini (Orlando Pirates), Keagan Dolly (TS Galaxy), Ashley du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs), Wandile Duba (Kaizer Chiefs), Terrence Dzvukamanja (SuperSport United), Rophney Hlungwane (Mpheni Home Defenders), Etiosa Ighodaro (AmaZulu), Joslin Kamatuka (Durban City), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kobamelo Kodisang (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Yusuf Maart (Kaizer Chiefs), Lebohang Maboe (SuperSport United), Awonke Mahlabela (Mighty Eagles), Bonginkosi Makume (Baroka FC), Sydney Malivha (Baroka FC), Tshepho Mashiloane (Baroka FC), Halatedzi Matumba (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mondli Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs), Brandon Mokgope (Mpheni Home Defenders), Mojalefa Mokhatla (Sibanye Golden Stars), Relebogile Mokhuoane (Sekhukhune United), Tebogo Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gape Moralo (SuperSport United), Jarrod Moroole (Cape Town Spurs), Monde Mphambaniso (Marumo Gallants), Marks Munyai (TS Galaxy), Rotonswa Mutsivhuli (Venda FC), Kagiso Ndlovu (Hungry Lions), Senzo Ndlovu (Durban City), Siphamandla Nzuza (Durban City), Ime Okon (SuperSport United), Onyedikachi Ononogbu (Kruger United), Katlego Otladisa (Sekhukhune United), Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch FC), Vincent Pule (SuperSport United), Boeletsang Rankali (Sibanye Golden Stars), Christian Saile (SuperSport United), Arthur Sales (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gaston Sirino (Kaizer Chiefs), Damir Sovsic (TS Galaxy), Brandon Theron (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs)

Own goals – Bulelani Nikani (Polokwane City), Brandon Theron (Lamontville Golden Arrows)