PIC: Sandile Mthethwa celebrates his winner against Kaizer Chiefs in 2023

Kaizer Chiefs will take on Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup at the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10, just the third meeting between the clubs in the competition since 2008.
Pirates have come out on top in the other two, but Chiefs will be desperately hoping to turn the tables as they seek to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time since 2013.
Pirates in turn are seeking a third successive title win, with just their oldest foes standing in their way.  
In all, the teams have met 19 times in the competitions in all its various guises since 1971, with Chiefs winning nine of those to seven victories for Pirates and three draws.
Pirates have won the last four meetings, which means Chiefs’ last victory over the Buccaneers came 32 years ago in 1993 thanks to a Doctor Khumalo winner.

Here is a look back at their two clashes in the Nedbank Cup since 2008.

5 March, 2016 – Nedbank Cup Last 32

Orlando Pirates (0) 2 (Tendai Ndoro 77’, 84’)

Kaizer Chiefs 0

A rare meeting in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 and a game that had a dramatic finish with Zimbabwe import Tendai Ndoro delivering two superb goals to win the tie for Pirates.

It took until 13 minutes from the end to break the deadlock with Ndoro getting his first, followed seven minutes later by the second. It might have only been four minutes had Ndoro not been denied by Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse when he had any early chance.

Chiefs also had a couple of decent openings as Siphiwe Tshabalala sent in a free kick towards the far post in the 13th minute, which Camaldine Abraw did not connect with.

Lucky Baloyi then pierced the opposing defence but sent a poor shot off target. Chances were few and far between until a dramatic closing phase.

Mpho Makola played a ball over the top for Ndoro, who took a great first touch before hammering the ball home.

For his second, he smashed a 30-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net.

6 May, 2023 – Nedbank Cup Semifinals

Kaizer Chiefs (0) [1] 1 (Yusuf Maart 80’)
Orlando Pirates (1) [1] 2 (Kermit Erasmus 14’, Sandile Mthethwa 114’)
After extra-time

Goals from Kermit Erasmus and the unlikely figure of Sandile Mthethwa gave Pirates the win, while Yusuf Maart took the game to extra-time with a strike for Chiefs.

There was lot to admire about Pirates' opener. The pass from Miguel Timm to Monnapule Saleng was superb and allowed the latter to run into space in the box.

Saleng then chose the right option in trying to square the ball for Erasmus and the forward could not miss.

Maart then punished Pirates, though on this occasion it was a simple finish rather than his 60-yard effort earlier in the campaign. Maart advanced forward and was not tracked by anybody, so when he was slipped in by Dillon Solomons, had time to pick his spot and slide the ball past goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

It looked as though penalties would be necessary, but Pirates grabbed victory in the 114th minute as Mthethwa rose highest to head in a cross from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and seal the final place for The Buccaneers.