Kaizer Chiefs' wait for silverware will extend for another season after losing 2-1 to Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
Nedbank Cup Semi-Final
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 Orlando Pirates
Date: 06 May 2023
Venue: FNB Stadium
Amakhosi coach Arthur Zwane handed recalls to Dillon Solomons, Samkelo Zwane and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, as Mduduzi Shabalala and Happy Mashiane dropped to the bench.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, welcomed back Miguel Timm and Kabelo Dlamini while Kermit Erasmus maintained his spot in the attack alongside Terrence Dzvukamanja.
The game was played at a lively tempo in the early stages and Chiefs should have been ahead on 12 minutes when Ashley du Preez's superb cross found Christian Saile Basomboli, who failed to make contact with only Sipho Chaine to beat in the box.
Chiefs were made to rue that missed opening as Pirates took the lead a minute later as Monnapule Saleng surged into the box before teeing up Erasmus for his second goal in the tournament.
Du Preez was undoubtedly Chiefs' biggest threat on the park, with the speedy attacker carving out another chance Siyabonga Ngezana on 35 minutes with some good work down the right but the defender failed direct his shot on target.
The rest of the first half belonged to Zwane's side, who dominated possession but they were let down by their finishing as Salie headed wide of Chaine's upright just before the halftime break.
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Du Preez's pace continued to threaten the Pirates backline and he nearly got in behind ten minute into the half, but Chaine rushed off his line to make a vital interception.
Zwane responded with his first change on the hour mark as Zwane made way for another youngster Shabalala, while the Buccaneers withdrew Ermaus for Ndabayithethwa Phillip Ndlondlo to beef up the midfield.
The Amakhosi dominated possession throughout and they got their reward in the 79th minute minute as Pirates youth product Yusuf Maart got on the end of Solomons' through-ball before poking the ball into the far corner.
Substitute Bienvenu Eva Nga should have sealed the win for Pirates in the last two minutes after getting on the end of Saleng's cross, but the striker sent his header over the crossbar and sent the game to extra-time.
It was an evenly matched affair in extra-time, but it was the Buccaneers who found the winning goal in the 113th minute Sandile Mthethwa rose above his marker to nod home Ndlondlo's cross to send his side to the final.
Here's how they lined up:
Kaizer Chiefs: 1. Petersen, 2. Dove, 30. Ngezana, 23. Hlanti, 39.Frosler, 18. Solomons, 37. Zwane, 8. Maart, 6. Sithebe, 9. Du Preez, 21. Salie
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 17. Alexander, 27. Njabulo Ngcobo, 24. Kwinika, 22. Matlou, 28. Bimenyimana, 42. Shabalala, 19. Mashiane, 14. Sekgota
Orlando Pirates: 34. Chaine, 5. Sibisi, 27. Xoki, 26. Shandu, 29. Mako, 15. Timm, 16. Monare, 18. Dlamini, 27. Dzvukamanja, 14. Saleng, 95. Erasmus
Subs: 40. Mpontshane, 45. Pule, 39. Mthethwa, 38. Ratomo, 34. Makhaula, 33. Nga, 14. Ndlondlo, 11. Hotto, 2. Monyane
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