The Nedbank Cup final took centre stage this past weekend with Kaizer Chiefs beating their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
This was the first time Amakhosi lifted a trophy since their double-winning 2014/15 campaign when they won the MTN8 and the league title under coach Stuart Baxter. Ironically, Amakhosi beat Pirates 1-0 at the very same Mabhida Stadium when they last won a trophy, with then captain, Tefu Mashamaite netting the solitary goal that saw the Naturena-based club ascend to the podium.
In the latest match, Bucs defender, Deano Van Rooyen was adjudged to have fouled Pule Mmodi inside the Bucs penalty box and referee Masixole Bambiso wasted no time in pointing to the spot and awarding coach Nasreddine Nabi’s charges a penalty kick. Gaston Sirino stepped up and beat Sipho Chaine with a low shot to his right although the Bucs goal-minder guessed right and almost had his hand to the ball. Chiefs took control of the game in search of another goal before Evidence Makgopa, just as he had done the previous weekend, scored an equaliser from a well-taken Deon Hotto free-kick this time around, heading home to beat Brandon Petersen later in the first half.
Just when the game looked set to go to extra time and possibly penalties, as both teams didn’t create enough scoring chances, Pirates development product, Yusuf Maart came back to haunt his former club with a well-taken volley that found the back of the net to, once again, give Amakhosi the lead. Chiefs held on to their lead and it proved enough to see them crowned champions.
With that brief summary of the Nedbank Cup final results, have a go at selecting your Team of the Week and see how close you get to the official Soccer Laduma selection.
