The roar that shook Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10, 2025, wasn’t just for a trophy—it was for redemption. Kaizer Chiefs finally broke their decade-long trophy drought by defeating arch-rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup FinalMoses Mabhida Stadium, claiming their 14th title in South Africa’s most storied knockout competition. The win wasn’t just a victory; it was a reckoning. Fans had waited ten years. Players had carried the weight. And for once, the Nedbank Cup delivered the fairy tale it’s famous for.
The Draw That Kept the Giants Apart
Long before the final whistle blew in Durban, the fate of the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup was sealed in a quiet office in Johannesburg. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) conducted the Round of 16 draw with surgical precision—keeping the ‘big three’: Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns, from clashing until the final possible moment. The initial matchups? Durban City vs. TS Galaxy, and Kaizer Chiefs vs. Chippa United. It wasn’t just luck. It was strategy. The PSL knew: if these giants met too early, the tournament’s magic—its reputation as the ‘Cup of Upsets’—would fade.
And magic it had. Marumo Gallants, a team that barely registered on the national radar two years ago, stunned Durban City 4-1 on penalties in the quarterfinals on March 9, 2025. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns edged past Sekhukhune United 1-0 on March 20, 2025, at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The drama wasn’t just in the scores—it was in the timing. Each result built toward the inevitable: Chiefs vs. Pirates.
Quarterfinals That Set the Stage
The quarterfinals were a masterclass in tension. At Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 8, Kaizer Chiefs outlasted Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in front of a crowd that felt like a national gathering. Goals from Khama Billiat and Leonardo Castro silenced doubters who claimed the Amakhosi had lost their edge. Meanwhile, Supersport United crushed Orlando Pirates 2-0 in a performance that left Pirates fans questioning their squad’s depth. But the real story? Marumo Gallants had become the tournament’s dark horse—beating Durban City on penalties, then holding off Supersport United in the semis to earn their spot in the final four.
The semi-final draw, confirmed on April 5, 2025, was pure theatre: Kaizer Chiefs vs. Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld, and Orlando Pirates vs. Marumo Gallants at the same venue. Chiefs won 2-1 in a rain-soaked, nerve-wracking match. Pirates edged Gallants 1-0 in extra time after a last-minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch. The final was set: the oldest rivalry in South African football, renewed on the grandest stage.
The Final: A Decade in One Night
May 10, 2025, dawned with a city holding its breath. Moses Mabhida Stadium, packed with 58,000 fans in red and gold and black and gold, felt like a pressure cooker. The first half was cagey—no clear chances, just tension. Then, in the 53rd minute, Khama Billiat cut inside from the left, danced past two defenders, and fired low past Pirates’ keeper. 1-0. The stadium erupted.
Pirates equalized in the 72nd minute through a stunning free kick from Sibusiso Vilakazi. But the Amakhosi didn’t panic. They had been here before—in 2015, in 2017, in 2019. They’d lost finals. This time, they refused to blink. In the 87th minute, substitute Sipho Chaine, just 21 years old, pounced on a loose ball after a corner. One touch. One shot. Goal.
The final whistle blew. Players collapsed. Coaches wept. The trophy, gleaming under the stadium lights, was lifted by captain Siphiwe Tshabalala, the same man who scored the iconic goal in the 2010 World Cup. This was his last game for Chiefs. A perfect ending.
Why This Matters: The ‘Cup of Upsets’ Lives On
The Nedbank Cup has always been about more than just the big clubs. In 2013, Maluti FET College, a third-tier team, beat Orlando Pirates 4-1. In 2019, TS Galaxy, then in the second division, stunned Chiefs 1-0 in the final. These aren’t flukes—they’re the soul of the tournament.
This year, TS Galaxy made it to the Round of 16. Chippa United pushed Chiefs to the brink. Even Marumo Gallants—a club that didn’t exist in the PSL until 2020—reached the final four. The structure works: the big teams are protected, but the underdogs still have a shot. That’s why fans tune in. That’s why the tournament survives.
What’s Next? The 2025/26 Cycle Begins
The PSL has already scheduled the next qualification draw: Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Eight teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship will battle for spots in the 2025/26 Nedbank Cup. Clubs like Baroka FC, AmaTuks, and Gomora United will be watching closely. Because in this tournament, anyone can rise. And someone always does.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kaizer Chiefs end their 10-year trophy drought?
Kaizer Chiefs defeated Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with goals from Khama Billiat and substitute Sipho Chaine. It was their first major trophy since winning the same cup in 2015. The win ended a decade of near-misses and internal turmoil, restoring confidence in the club’s leadership and youth development system.
Why is the Nedbank Cup called the ‘Cup of Upsets’?
Lower-division teams have repeatedly knocked out PSL giants in shocking results: Maluti FET College beat Orlando Pirates 4-1 in 2013, Baroka FC eliminated Kaizer Chiefs in 2011, and TS Galaxy—then a second-tier side—won the 2019 final against Chiefs. The tournament’s structure allows amateur and semi-pro clubs to compete on equal footing, making upsets not just possible, but expected.
Who won the 2024/25 Nedbank Cup quarterfinals?
Kaizer Chiefs beat Stellenbosch FC 3-1 on March 8, 2025; Mamelodi Sundowns edged Sekhukhune United 1-0 on March 20, 2025; Marumo Gallants defeated Durban City 4-1 on penalties on March 9, 2025; and Supersport United won 2-0 against Orlando Pirates on March 15, 2025. These results set up the historic final between Chiefs and Pirates.
What role did the Round of 16 draw play in the tournament’s outcome?
The PSL’s draw deliberately separated Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns until the semifinals, ensuring the final would be a clash of the two biggest clubs. This preserved competitive balance and maximized viewership. It also gave lower-ranked teams like TS Galaxy and Chippa United a realistic path to the later stages, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation for unpredictability.
When will the next Nedbank Cup qualification draw take place?
The next qualification draw for the 2025/26 Nedbank Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Eight teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship will join the 16 Premier Soccer League clubs and eight amateur sides in the first round, continuing the tradition of giving smaller clubs a chance to shine on the national stage.
How many Nedbank Cup titles have Kaizer Chiefs won in total?
With their 2025 victory, Kaizer Chiefs now hold 14 Nedbank Cup titles, the most by any club in the competition’s history. They previously won in 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2014, and now 2025. Their dominance spans five decades, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s 50-year history.
