Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup final for a third successive season after defeating Marumo Gallants 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Orlando Pirates 1-0 Marumo Gallants
Date: 13 April 2025
Venue: Orlando Stadium
Buccaneers coach Jose Riviero gave a start to goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, who started in the quarter-final, while Patrick Maswanganyi and Kabelo Dlamini were also recalled to the starting line-up.
The home side were rewarded for their dominant start by opening the scoring on 21 minutes as a superb passing move ended with Maswanganyi teeing up Dlamini, who sent a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The Soweto giants also became the first team to score against Gallants in the Nedbank Cup this season and were able to do so in fine style.
Gallants, meanwhile, were second best for most of the first half and even when they were able to regain possession, they were let down by their decision-making in the final third.
Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou responded with a double change at the start of the second half, with Gabadinho Mhango and Sekela Sithole replacing Siyabonga Nhlapho and Mlungisi Khumalo.
The visitors came out with a renewed approach in the second half and they managed to carve out an opening after 57 minutes when Daniel Msendami did well to tee up Sithole, who saw his low strike saved by Buthelezi in the box.
Riveiro responded with a double change of his own a few minutes later, Nkota and Dlamini made way for Relebohile Mofokeng and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo to freshen up their attack for the final 30 minutes.
Pirates had a big chance to end Gallants' hope of a comeback with ten minutes left on the clock as Tshegofatso Mabasa put the ball on the plate for Deon Hotto, who saw his strike cleared off the line.
Nevertheless, the Buccaneers were not punished for the miss and became the first team to reach the final three times in a row in the Nedbank Cup era.
Here's how they lined up:
Orlando Pirates: 35. Buthelezi, 5. Sibisi, 3. Van Rooyen, 44. Mbokazi, 29. Mako, 18. Dlamini, 8. Makhaula, 33. Nkota, 28. Maswanganyi, 7. Hotto, 17. Makgopa
Subs: 24. Chaine, 42. Radiopane, 38. Mofokeng, 26. Shandu, 20. Mosele, 19. Mabasa, 30. Madiba, 27. Xoki, 15. Ndlondlo
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 13. Ncube, 25. Mathiane, 14. Sibiya, 21. Mabotja, 50. Nhlapo, 5. Manaka, 22. Msendami, 15. Nemtajela, 6. Mahlatsi, 76. Khumalo.
Subs: 16. Akepyi, 66. Conde, 18. Chabatsane, 7. Mhango, 26. Sithole, 34. Ndlovu, 33. Dion, 8. Mokobodi, 14. Nange.
