Kaizer Chiefs secured their place in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final with reigning champions Orlando Pirates after a 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday evening.
In a frenetic opening half that saw tempers flair, it appeared the game would be heading into the break with the scores level and goalless but it was a moment of individual brilliance that separate the two sides.
Teboho Mokoena, who wasn’t at his usual fluent best, stationed in his six role behind Bathusi Aubaas and Marcel Allende, found the net with the thunderous free-kick that was the last kick of the half, much to the frustration of the Amakhosi squad and technical team.
The Soweto giants came out guns blazing with relentless pressing over Sundowns, who would have been mentally and physically fatigued from their away trip to Tunisia with Esperance Sportive de Tunis – in which they overcame to book a place in the CAF Champions League semi-final.
But they managed to hold firm under the pressure, and hold their own, create their own changes and eventually find the back of the net.
In the second half, Miguel Cardoso addressed his midfield issues, with Jayden Adams coming on for Aubaas, Artur Sales coming on as a deep lying forward for Iqraam Rayners, while Asekho Tiwani also made his way onto the pitch albeit before the break for the injured Divine Lunga.
Underfire Chiefs coach Nassredine Nabi, who denied he’s feeling the pressure with the club in eighth place and now set for another season without silverware, kept his team as is for the second half.
And it worked as they managed to level matters before the hour mark with their high press forcing a defensive error as Wandile Duba intercepted a pass from Lucas Suarez meant for Mokoena, before running clear on goal and slotting the ball beyond Ronwen Williams.
Nabi then looked to his bench, throwing on Mduduzi Shabalala for Glody Lilepo, who found it tough to create chances in the attacking third on the night, while looking for more energy and pace in their attacking transitions.
And just when it looked like it would be going to extra time, another Chiefs substitute, Ashley Du Preez, who had only just come on, was on hand to knock the ball in the net in the 89th minute.
The win also means Chiefs have almost – (though not mathematically yet) – secured continental qualification, for the CAF Confederation Cup.
