PIC: Orlando Pirates celebrate their 2024 Nedbank Cup success

Orlando Pirates rallied from a goal down to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a pulsating Nedbank Cup final played at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
It brings to a close another fantastic Nedbank Cup campaign as we round up the numbers on 2024.

1 – This was the first Nedbank Cup final since 2008 to feature two of the so-called ‘Big 3’ in South African football, Pirates, Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

2 – Orlando Pirates became the first club to go back-to-back in the Nedbank Cup since SuperSport United in 2016 and 2017. Ironically, Matsatsantsa beat Pirates in both of those finals. Only these two teams have managed the feat. 

4 – Patrick Maswanganyi’s penalty in the final means he finished top of the goalscorers charts this season with four. The Orlando Pirates attacking midfielder was one ahead of another nine players – Shandre Campbell (SuperSport United), Andre de Jong, Anicet Oura and Devin Titus (all Stellenbosch FC), Kabelo Dlamini, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Tapelo Xoki (all Orlando Pirates), Thembinkosi Lorch and Gaston Sirino (both Mamelodi Sundowns). Had Xoki not been injured it is likely he would have taken the spot-kick and we might have seen a central defender top the scorers charts!  

6 – Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have now clashed six times in the Nedbank Cup since 2008. The Buccaneers lead the head-to-head 4-2 following their final win this season. 

6 – Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns both appeared in a sixth Nedbank Cup final since 2008, a record they share, and have now both claimed four titles. Pirates beat Black Leopards (3-1 in 2011), BidVest Wits (3-1 in 2014), Sekhukhune United (2-1 in 2023) and Mamelodi Sundowns (2-1 in 2024) but lost twice to SuperSport United (3-2 in 2016 and 4-1 in 2017). Sundowns took the title against Mpumalanga Black Aces (1-0 in 2008), Ajax Cape Town (4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 2015), Bloemfontein Celtic (1-0 in 2020) and Marumo Gallants (2-1 in 2022). They also lost to local rivals SuperSport United (2-0 in 2012) and now Pirates. 
 

7 – The most goals scored in a Nedbank Cup encounter this season was seven, which happened on two occasions. Sundowns defeated second-tier NB La Masia 6-1 in the Last 32 and Stellenbosch FC thumped another Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Milford FC, by the same scoreline in the Last 16. The biggest ever margin of victory and most goals scored remains Mamelodi Sundowns’ 24-0 success over Powerlines FC in 2012.  

7 – This year’s final was the seventh time in 17 deciders that both teams have found the back of the net. 

8 – Orlando Pirates are the first side to come from behind to win a Nedbank Cup final since SuperSport United did it to them in 2016. The Buccaneers took the lead on that occasion through Luvuyo Memela but ended up losing 3-2. Pirates themselves have done it on the only two other occasions it had occurred. They rallied from a goal down to beat Black Leopards (2011) and BidVest Wits (2014), both by 3-1 scorelines.

10 – Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is still unbeaten after 10 games in the Nedbank Cup, having not lost a tie since he arrived at the club at the start of the 2022/23 season. He also stretched his remarkable record in domestic cup competitions to a single outright defeat in 21 matches.  

12 – Mbombela Stadium hosted the Nedbank Cup final for the second time and is one of 12 different venues to stage the decider in 17 years. Pirates have now won both of the finals played there, beating Black Leopards 3-1 in 2011 an Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in 2024.

14 – Mamelodi Sundowns forward Peter Shalulile remains the all-time Nedbank Cup top-scorer with 11 goals for The Brazilians and three in the colours of Highlands Park for a total of 14. His goals have come in 17 Nedbank Cup starts and was kept out of the final by injury.  

19 – Pirates scored 19 goals in their five matches in the tournament, the most of any side. They beat Crystal Lake (6-0), Hungry Lions (4-0), AmaZulu (4-2), Chippa United (3-1) and Mamelodi Sundowns (2-1).

19 – Orlando Pirates teenager Relebohile Mofokeng became the youngest ever Nedbank Cup final goalscorer when he netted his stunning winner. He is just 19. 

50 – The 2024 Nedbank Cup final was Orlando Pirates’ 50^th match in the competition since 2008. They have won 35, drawn six and lost nine. 

92 – There were 92 goals scored in the 31 Nedbank Cup games in 2024. That is an average of a touch under three per game. 

94 – Relebohile Mofokeng’s fantastic winner for Orlando Pirates came in the 94^th minute. That is still earlier than their winning goal in the 2023 final, when Terrence Dzvukamanja netted in the 95^th minute as The Buccaneers beat Sekhukhune United 2-1.