Kaizer Chiefs end decade-long trophy drought with thrilling Nedbank Cup victory

In what was a pulsating clash between the sides, Amakhosi edged the contest thanks to a winner in the final ten minutes from midfielder Yusuf Maart.

Chiefs had gone ahead as early as the 10th minute when Gaston Sirino converted a penalty but Pirates hit back and were level at halftime through the head of Evidence Makgopa.

With the expected sold-out signs going off within hours of tickets being available, fans ascended the iconic venue in the early hours ahead of the afternoon kick off.

The contest got off to a rollicking start when, after eight minutes, Chiefs were awarded a penalty as Pirates right-back Deano Van Rooyen was adjudged to have brought down Pule Mmodi.

Despite some antics to delay the spot-kick from Sipho Chaine, Sirino kept his composure and buried his effort past the Pirates goalkeeper.

It did not take long for the Buccaneers to respond, in fact just seven minutes, Makgopa rising high at the far-post and connecting with a powerful header after a pin-point set-piece from Dean Hotto.

Jose Riveiro's charges then took control and Mohau Nkota tested Brandon Peterson but the Chiefs shot-stopper palmed away a low effort.

The second half was a topsy-turvy affair with no real goal-mouth action with the best chance falling to Mmodi in the 78th minute but the Chiefs player hit the outside of the post.

Amakhosi substitutes Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley Du Preez certainly made a difference in the second half and they combined to set up Maart's thunderous volley that ultimately won the cup with 10 minutes remaining.

Chiefs had some nervy moments in the dying stages as Hotto went close to an equaliser but the men in yellow held on to the delight of their fanatical fans.

The victory for Amakhosi also marks the end of the dominance of the tournament with Pirates winning the last two editions of the Nedbank Cup and Riveiro now leaving the Buccaneers trophyless in his third and final season.

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