Greetings before Soweto derby Players from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shake hands before the start of the last Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The two teams will meet twice over the next two weeks, starting this past weekend. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs collide on Saturday in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with silverware, pride, and history all on the line in South Africa’s biggest football rivalry.
The iconic Durban venue — a 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final host — will once again take centre stage as the Soweto giants meet for the ninth time in a Nedbank Cup final. This time, it’s about more than just bragging rights.
The Buccaneers come into the match in good form and with real momentum.
Their 2-1 league win over Chiefs last weekend — thanks to goals from Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng — ensured a league double over their rivals and extended coach Jose Riveiro’s unbeaten run in Soweto derbies since taking charge nearly three years ago.
The Buccaneers are aiming to complete a treble of Nedbank Cup titles, having won the competition in 2023 and 2024.
Far from underwhelming, their 2024/25 campaign has been one of consistency and progression. They sit second in the Betway Premiership standings, remain mathematically in the title race, and have built a team with both depth and identity.
Riveiro’s side have been efficient in knockout football, showing composure and attacking intent.
If they lift the trophy on Saturday, Pirates will not only assert their recent dominance in the derby but also underline their status as the country’s most successful side in recent domestic cup competitions.
The Glamour Boys, meanwhile, are seeking a turning point. Still outside the top eight and under pressure after another stuttering league campaign, Nasreddine Nabi’s team need this trophy to inject belief into a new era.
A first title since 2015 would go a long way in restoring pride at Naturena.
Chiefs boast the historical edge in Nedbank Cup finals against Pirates, winning six of the previous eight, including triumphs in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1984, and 2006.
But the tide has turned in recent years, with Pirates winning the last five derbies — including a 2-1 semi-final victory in this very competition in 2024.
The origins of the rivalry still loom large. Pirates, established in 1937, are one of the oldest clubs in South African football.
Chiefs, founded in 1970 by Kaizer Motaung Sr., a former Pirates striker, were born out of a split and have since become a cultural and sporting powerhouse of their own.
That history adds fuel to every meeting, but especially a cup final. With tens of thousands expected in Durban and millions watching across the country, Saturday’s clash is set to bring the curtain down on the season in fitting style.
For Pirates, it’s a chance at three Nedbank Cups in a row and further proof of their resurgence under Riveiro. For Chiefs, it’s a shot at redemption. One game, one trophy — and one winner.
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