Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the Nedbank Cup final after coming from behind to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on Sunday evening.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 13 April 2025
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Chiefs were boosted by the return of midfielder Thabo Cele, who last featured in the loss to Golden Arrows a couple weeks ago, while Sundowns started Iqraam Rayners alongside Peter Shalulile in the attack.
This was the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the Brazilians claiming victories on all three occasions, including a 4-1 win in the Carling Knockout.
The game was played at a lively pace in the early stages and Sundowns should have taken the lead on 18 minutes when Rayners was slipped through on goal, but Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma pulled off a superb save in a one-on-one situation.
The contest threatened to boil over at the midway as a clash between former Sundowns star Gaston Sirino and Lucas Costa Ribeiro ignited a scuffle on the side of the pitch, which saw the coaches enter the field to separate the players.
Chiefs, however, nearly went ahead ten minutes before the hour break as Sirino tried his luck from way out but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was able to get back in time and make save on the line.
The Brazilians took the lead on the stroke of halftime as Teboho Mokoena found the back of the net with a superb free-kick that sailed in off the crossbar, leaving Bvuma well beaten.
Sundowns made two alterations at the start of the second half, with Arthur Sales and Jayden Adams replacing Rayners and Bathusi Aubaas.
However, the Soweto giants were gifted a way back into the clash on 55 minuets as a horrible error from Lucas Suarez gifted the ball to Wandile Duba, who raced clear and calmly slotted past Williams.
Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi opted for two changes after the 70-minute mark, as Cele and Sirino made way for George Matlou and Sibongiseni Mthethwa to freshen up the midfield and push for a winning goal
With the game seemingly headed for extra-time, Chiefs popped up with the winning goal in the 88th minute when Dillan Solomons did well to pick out substitute Ashley du Preez, who volleyed past Williams.
The late winner sees Chiefs advance to the final, where they will face cross-town rivals Orlando Pirates.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 29. Lunga, 20. Kekana, 32. Suarez, 4. Mokoena, 15. Aubaas, . 11. Allende, 10. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile, 13. Rayners
Subs: 1. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 28. Mdunyelwa, 31. Tiwani, 6. Modiba, 44. Adams, 17. Matthews, 7. Esquivel, 9. Sales
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 18. Solomons, 2. Dove, 25. Msimango, 48. Cross, 8. Maart, 21. Cele, 10. Sirino, 13. Mmodi, 99. Lilepo, 37. Duba
Subs: 1. Petersen, 4. Kwinika, 6. Blom, 22. Matlou, 5. Mthethwa, 42. Shabalala, 9. Du Preez, 40. Morris, 28. Vilakazi
