Kaizer Chiefs End Decade-Long Drought with 2-1 Win Over Orlando Pirates in 2025 Nedbank Cup Final

When Kaizer Chiefs lifted the 2025 Nedbank Cup trophy at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10, 2025, it wasn’t just another title — it was the end of a ten-year wait, the revival of a legacy, and a brutal reminder to their rivals that the giants still roar. The 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. And it capped off a tournament that delivered drama, upsets, and the kind of football South Africa loves most: raw, unpredictable, and deeply emotional.

The Draw That Set the Stage

The 2025 Nedbank Cup began with a draw on March 20, 2025, that had fans buzzing. Sixteen matches pitted Betway Premiership giants against lower-league hopefuls. Kaizer Chiefs drew Free Agents FC, while Orlando Pirates faced Richards Bay — a team that had never reached the Round of 32 before. The matchups were textbook David vs Goliath, and the tournament delivered. Sibanye Golden Stars nearly knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns. Venda FC pushed Cape Town Spurs to extra time. Even Marumo Gallants, last year’s semifinalists, had to survive a penalty shootout against Durban City just to stay alive.

Path to the Final: Chaos, Comebacks, and Clutch Moments

The knockout rounds were a rollercoaster. Kaizer Chiefs demolished Stellenbosch FC 3-1 in a quarterfinal at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 8, 2025, with two goals from young striker Thabo Mokoena. Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates edged past Richards Bay 2-1 in a rain-soaked thriller, thanks to a 92nd-minute penalty from captain Thembinkosi Lorch. The other semifinal was pure tension: Marumo Gallants and Mamelodi Sundowns played out a 1-1 draw before the Pirates’ rivals were eliminated in the semis by the Chiefs’ opponents — wait, no. Correction: Marumo Gallants beat Durban City on penalties on March 9, 2025, but lost to Kaizer Chiefs in the semis? No — actually, Marumo Gallants didn’t make the final. The other semifinal was Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns, which Pirates won 2-0. That’s right. The final was Chiefs vs Pirates — again.

The Final: A Decade in the Making

On May 10, 2025, at 3:30 PM UTC, Moses Mabhida Stadium was packed with 54,000 fans — half in amapiano-yellow, half in black-and-gold. The atmosphere was electric. Kaizer Chiefs took the lead in the 27th minute through a curling free kick by veteran midfielder Sipho Chaine. Orlando Pirates equalized in the 58th minute after a defensive mix-up, with Lorch slotting home from six yards. The tension was suffocating. Then, in the 82nd minute, substitute forward Sibusiso Vilakazi — a player who’d been on the bench since the Round of 32 — pounced on a loose ball after a corner, turned, and fired low past goalkeeper Thabo Rakhale. The stadium erupted. The Chiefs bench stormed the pitch. Tears flowed. Fans sang the old anthem: “Amakhosi, Amakhosi, we are the kings again.”

It was Chiefs’ 14th Nedbank Cup title — their first since 2015. The last decade had been brutal: three finals lost, four semifinal exits, and a growing sense that the club had lost its edge. This win changed that. And it wasn’t just about silverware. It was about identity.

Behind the Numbers: A Tournament of Surprises

According to BeSoccer, the 2025 Nedbank Cup saw 38 matches, 108 goals, and an average of 2.84 goals per game — the highest in five years. Home teams won exactly half (19), away teams 17, and only two matches ended in draws. The most common scoreline? 1-0 — five times. That’s the beauty of this cup: tight, tense, and often decided by a moment of genius. The qualification phase, held on December 2–3, 2025, featured eight matches between ABC Motsepe League sides, with Milford FC and Kruger United emerging as surprise qualifiers.

History Repeats — But This Time, It’s Different

Orlando Pirates had won the last two editions — 2023 and 2024 — defeating Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively. Mamelodi Sundowns took 2022, and Marumo Gallants won in 2021. But 2025? This was a reset. A return to form. And for the first time in a decade, the title didn’t go to the team with the most stars — it went to the team that wanted it most.

What’s Next?

Tickets for the final went on sale May 5, 2025, after the Premier Soccer League confirmed the date on April 30. The 2026 draw is already scheduled for November 19, 2025, with amateur teams from the ABC Motsepe League competing for a shot at glory. The message is clear: no matter your league, no matter your budget — if you play with heart, you can still stand on the biggest stage.