PIC: Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Orlando Pirates will be appearing in the Nedbank Cup final for the third year in a row and the seventh time since 2008 when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in the 2025 decider at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.

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

Most minutes

390 – Stalwart Deon Hotto has featured in every minute of Pirates’ campaign to date, showing his excellent fitness at the age of 34. The left wing-back has been a star performer for the club for several seasons now and this term is no different. He has one assist to his name. Patrick Maswanganyi (319 minutes) is next on the list. Hotto and midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula (316 minutes) are the only two players to start all four games for The Buccaneers.

Top scorer

4 – Tshegofatso Mabasa is the leading scorer for Pirates this season with four goals, which also makes him joint leading scorer in the entire competition along with Kaizer Chiefs’ Pule Mmodi. Mabasa netted against Richards Bay in the Last 32 and then got a hat-trick versus Baroka FC in the Last 16. He is not Pirates’ all-time leading scorer in the Nedbank Cup with eight goals.

Most substitute appearances

3 – Innocent Maela and Phillip Ndlondlo have been introduced on the most occasions this season with three appearances each off the bench. Ndlondlo, remarkably, could appear in a fifth Nedbank Cup final in a row after appearances with TTM (2021), Marumo Gallants (2022), and Pirates (2023, 2024). He netted the winner in the final for TTM four years ago.

Oldest and youngest players used

35 – Makhaula was 35 years, 4 months and 27 days when he played in the 1-0 semifinal victory over Marumo Gallants. That is around 11 months older that Hotto, but both are still going strong well into their 30s.

19 – New kid on the block Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been a revelation for Pirates at centre-back since coming into the team and is the youngest player they have used in this campaign. He was 19 years, 5 months, 17 days when he featured against SuperSport United in the quarterfinals.

Team goals scored

9 – Pirates have scored nine goals in their four ties to date, which is down on previous years, though they may say they have had tougher ties. They beat Rochards Bay (3-1), Baroka FC (3-1), SuperSport United on penalties (2-2) and Marumo Gallants (1-0).

Team goals conceded

4 – Pirates have conceded four times this season, only keeping a clean sheet against Gallants. That is still only a goal every 100 hours or so of football, which is pretty good.

Disciplinary

7 yellows – Pirates have had seven bookings in this year’s competition, only Maswanganyi two yellows. Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Tapelo Xoki, Kabelo Dlamini and Mohau Nkota are the other players into the referees’ book.

Scorers this season
4 goals – Tshegofatso Mabasa

2 – Patrick Maswanganyi

1 – Kabelo Dlamini, Evidence Makgopa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi