PIC: Patrick Maswanganyi

Orlando Pirates will be appearing in the Nedbank Cup final for the second year in a row and the sixth time since 2008 when they take on Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024 decider at the Mbombela Stadium on June 1.

Here are some of the key numbers behind the Soweto club’s impressive campaign to date.

Most minutes

349 – The minutes have been shared around this year with no less than 25 players used in Pirates’ four games so far. But the player with the most is Patrick Maswanganyi, who has started every game and missed just 11 minutes when he came off in the 4-0 Last 16 win over Hungry Lions. Two other players have started all four games – teenage winger Relebohile Mofokeng (317 minutes) and veteran midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula (297).

Top scorer

3 – The goals have also been shared around this season with four players having netted three times. Maswanganyi, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Kabelo Dlamini and Tapelo Xoki all have three strikes to their name. Incidentally, the most goals scored in a single Nedbank Cup season for Pirates is five by Tendai Ndoro in 2016.      

Most substitute appearances

2 – Four players have come on in two games - Thalente Mbatha (+ 2 starts), Monnapule Saleng (+ 1 start), Sandile Mthethwa and Lesedi Kapinga. Saleng managed a goal when he came on against Hungry Lions, while he also has an assist against AmaZulu. Kapinga got an assist in the 6-0 win over Crystal Lake.   

Oldest and youngest players used

34 – Makhaula was 34 years, five months and 8 days when he played in the 3-1 semifinal victory over Chippa United last weekend. That is just nine days older than Thabang Monare was when he featured in the 6-0 victory over Crystal Lake in the Last 32, but has not been seen in action since.

19 – Mofokeng was just 19 years, four months and one day when he played in the 6-0 win over Crystal Lake in the Last 32. He is such an exciting talent and has fast become a crowd favourite. 

Team goals scored

17 – Pirates have scored a whopping 17 goals in their four ties to date, the most of any club in this year’s competition. They beat Crystal Lake (6-0), Hungry Lions (4-0), AmaZulu (4-2) and Chippa United (3-1). They have certainly been among the teams to watch in all competitions this season with their free-flowing style.

Team goals conceded

3 – Pirates have conceded only three times this season, twice against AmaZulu and once versus Chippa United. That is a goal let in every two hours or so.         

Disciplinary

11 yellows – Pirates have had 11 bookings in this year’s competition, with two players, Miguel Timm and Mbatha receiving two each. That is an average of a little under three per game. There have been no red cards for the side.  

Scorers this season

3 goals – Kabelo Dlamini, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tapelo Xoki

1 – Makhehlene Makhaula, Relebohile Mofokeng, Monnapule Saleng

Own goals – Adam Khumalo (Crystal Lake), Morena Monaheng (Hungry Lions)