It’s all or nothing for the Nedbank Cup final
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will have to play their hearts out if any of the two sides want to lift the Nedbank Cup come the end of the ninety minutes tomorrow.
It’s all or nothing for both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns when they clash tomorrow [June 1] at the Mbombela Stadium during the Nedbank Cup final to close the 2023/24 premiership season.
Both the Mighty Buccaneers and the Mighty Yellow Machine have what it takes to be crowned champions of a trophy that has become better known as the ‘David versus Goliath’ cup due to the nature of the trophy that pits lower division clubs against the premiership sides.
The Sea Robbers, as Pirates are also known, have brilliant ‘robbers’ with amazing firepower upfront such as the season’s top goal scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa with 16 and his nearest rival from the Nedbank Cup opponents, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, amassed 12 goals and last season’s Top Goal Scorer Peter Shalulile poached 9 of them.
Read more: Buccaneers chief hopes to defend Nedbank Cup
Over and above Mabasa, Pirates also has the likes of hard-running and tricky winger Monnapule Saleng and midfield maestro-cum striker Patrick Maswanganyi who complement the firepower upfront.
The beauty of Sundowns is that their goals can come from anyone and anywhere as they are not restricted mainly to their forwards only. They have the likes of their skipper Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende and talented youngster Lesiba Nku, if they get to play this rising star of the side.
Sea Robbers mentor Jose Riveiro said he was well aware of what lies for his side on Saturday and looks forward to his men being up to the task. “The fact that they went 29 matches unbeaten tells you the kind of side they are but I can promise that we will be up to the task as well.”
Also read: Sundowns cup quest means they must not be the fall guy
Sundowns too are not taking the game lightly. “Pirates are such a good side capable of rising to the occasion and we need to guard against that. We could tears on Saturday if we become too complacent,” warned Masandawana mentor Rhulani Mokwena.
Masandawana is chasing a record of winning a treble of trophies in one season. This is still on course until Saturday, depending on the game’s outcome, while Pirates hope to retain their trophy.
Whatever the result is on Saturday, football lovers fresh from bartering poll queues last Wednesday can expect a scintillating game of slender goal margins as the game will be too tight and filled with cautiousness from both sides.
History and past performances will have nothing to do with this particular cup final but all that can be said is let the best team on the day win.
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