By Mbongeni Vilakati
In a match that swung like the ebb and flow of the ocean, Pirates rode the waves of fortune to emerge triumphant at the Mbombela Stadium. Orlando Pirates made a daring raid into Mamelodi Sundowns’ territory, snatching the Nedbank Cup in a nail-biting 2-1 victory.
The game began with both sides demonstrating why they are among the top teams in the league. The Sundowns drew first blood early in the second half when Themba Zwane showcased his brilliance with a clinical finish, sending their supporters into raptures.
The Sea Robbers as affectionately known, found themselves behind early, however they mounted a heroic comeback. Their resilience and determination shone through as they pressed forward, creating several scoring opportunities.
Their persistence paid off when Patrick Maswangayi stepped up to the penalty spot. With nerves of steel, he slotted the ball past the Sundowns’ goalkeeper, leveling the score and reigniting the hopes of the Pirates’ faithful.
The game seemed destined for extra time until the Pirates launched one final, breathtaking assault. Deep into added time, Relebohile Mofokeng found himself in the perfect position. With a deft touch, he sent the ball soaring into the net, sealing the victory for the Pirates and sending their fans into a state of jubilation.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement when the referee blew the final whistle and the Mbombela Stadium erupted. Jose Riveiro’s led side had not only clinched the Nedbank Cup but had also secured their second trophy of the season, having already triumphed in the MTN8 Tournament.
Despite the valiant efforts, Sundowns were left licking their wounds with a R2.5 million runner-up prize, a decent sum but ultimately falling short of the coveted title, while Orlando Pirates walked away with a staggering R7 million prize money.
