Dzvukamanja late goal delivers Nedbank Cup title for Pirates

Terrence Dzuvukamanja delivered Orlando Pirates’ second trophy of the season after scoring a late goal to win the Nedbank Cup final against Sekhukhune United at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday. 

Winning the Nedbank Cup meant the Buccaneers sealed their second domestic cup this season under the guidance of coach Jose Riveiro, having won the the MTN8 earlier this season. 

The Sea Robbers have now won two trophies this season, and they have also qualified for fhe Caf Champions League for next season after finish second on the DStv Premiership standings. 

In a tightly contested final, Sekhukhune scored first in the game, before the Soweto giants got an equaliser through Nkosinathi Sibisi.

A failure to clear the ball in the 14^th minute by the Bucs defence led to Sekhukhune getting the lead, courtesy of Sibusiso Vilakazi making it 1-0 for the Limpopo based side. 

In the 21^st minute, Sekhukhune survived a real scare from Pirates with a goal-mouth scramble leading to Babina Nook’s goalkeeper Badra Sangare making two saves to keep his side in the lead. 

The goal by Sekhukhune pushed the tempo of the game very game very high, with the Buccaneers eager to get an equaliser. 

With both sides going hard on each other, there were plenty of chances being created at both ends, but the second goal of the game was not coming. 

That was until a Pirates got a questionable penalty, after Victor Letsoalo was judged to have handled the ball inside the box just before half-time. 

Bucs defender Nkosinathi Sibisi stepped up to the responsibility, he made it 1-1 taking the game to half-time. 

The second half was full of attacks from both sides, with the Buccaneers looking more Lilly to score a goal.

But, Sekhukhune was also coming hard on Pirates, but, they just couldn’t make their chances count. There were numerous opportunities presented for both teams, but neither could could find the back of the net. 

With the game looking like it would go to extra-time, the Buccaneers kept their search for the lead and they were eventually rewarded with a tap in from Terrence Dzvukamanja’s goal after a  Monnapule Saleng cross additional minutes to win the trophy for Bucs.