Pirates see off Gallants to reach Nedbank Cup final

Orlando Pirates eased into a third Nedbank Cup final on the spin on Sunday, Kabelo Dlamini’s goal enough to beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 at Orlando Stadium.

Jose Riveiro’s side will now also look to lift the trophy for the third time in a row, and had little trouble seeing off Abdelsam Ouaddou’s ineffective Gallants.

Gallants set up, as expected, to keep Pirates at bay and hit them on the break. 

And for a while the plan worked, at least defensively as the Buccaneers battled to pick the lock in Ouaddou’s side. 

Dean Van Rooyen hammered one early shot straight at Washington Aruba, but generally Pirates’ build up play lacked a bit of incision. 

Suddenly, however, the Buccaneers came to life, with a wonderful move in the 22nd minute. Mohau Nkota found Patrick Maswanganyi in the Gallants box, and his cut back was inch-perfect for Dlamini, who steered an equally sublime finish past Arubi. 

Almost immediately, Gallants sprung forward and Daniel Msendani went down in the box under Paseka Mako’s challenge. But replays showed it would have been an extremely soft penalty. 

Gallants did finally test Melusi Buhthelezi, given a rare chance in the Pirates goal, on the stroke of half time. But Edgar Manaka’s shot was comfortably gathered by the Pirates ‘keeper. 

Ouaddou changed it up at the break, bringing on former Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango and Sekherla Sithole to try and liven up his attack. 

And Gallants did create a little more. In the 57th minute, a chance fell to Sithole in the box, but his snapshot was straight at Buthelezi.

Pirates brought on Relebohile Mofokeng, and immediate Pirates’ own attack gained more impetus. 

A fine pass found Evidence Makgopa, but the Pirates striker dragged his shot horribly wide. 

Deon Hotto then brought a good save out of Arubi but Pirates were in control, and didn’t need another goal to book their place in another Nedbank Cup final.