PIC: Relebohile Mofokeng (left) and Edmilson Dove

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs renew their rivalry for the second time in week when they clash in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
There will be huge match-ups across the pitch that could decide the game as we pick three of the most intriguing tussles.  

MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI VS GASTON SIRINO
Teenager Mbokazi has been a revelation since he came into the team with his power and pace in the centre-back position. Should he start then one of Tapelo Xoki or Nkosinathi Sibisi will sit out, but what coach Jose Riveiro loses in experience, he makes up in mobility across the park. Veteran Sirino already has a Nedbank Cup winning goal in his locker after scoring for Mamelodi Sundowns in their 1-0 success over Bloemfontein Celtic in 2020. There is a 15-year age between these two players, and Sirino will bring his bag of tricks, but if Mbokazi can keep him quiet that will go a long way to nullifying the Chiefs threat.  

PATRICK MASWANGANYI VS YUSUF MAART
Maswanganyi missed last weekend’s 2-1 Soweto Derby win for Pirates but was back in midweek to inspire them to victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows in the league. He remains a key playmaker in the team, fulfilling the ‘Themba Zwane’ role in this team as the attacking link between the midfield and the forwards. On his day he is unstoppable, and he does love a Nedbank Cup goal. The man tasked with keeping him quiet will likely be Maart, who has his critics but is a workhorse in that Chiefs midfield, breaking up play and turning over possession to get his side on the front-foot. And who can forget Maart’s stunning 60-yard Soweto Derby winner in 2022. 

RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG VS EDMILSON DOVE
Mofokeng is the current star player, possibly in the entire league, with his trickery and vision on the ball, as well as superb finishing ability. Whether he plays out wide on the left or in a more central position remains to be seen with the return of Maswanganyi, but he will be a handful for Chiefs either way. He will no doubt be a marked man, and keeping a close eye will be veteran Mozambican defender Edmilson Dove, who will have to deal with the quick feet of the youngster. If Chiefs give Mofokeng free range, that could be game over, as the 20-year-old showed last year when he netted a late winner for Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final against Sundowns.