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Nasreddine Nabi of Kaizer Chiefs, Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates, Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns and Abdeslam Ouaddou of Marumo Gallants 16-9GOAL GFX
Celine Abrahams

Now or never for Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi need the Nedbank Cup like a fish needs water - more than Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates & Marumo Gallants

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Amakhosi to prove they are still among South Africa’s elite as the Nedbank Cup semi-final round takes place.

The Nedbank Cup semi-finals are here and while all four clubs have their eyes on the prize, none are more desperate, more pressured and more in need of glory than Kaizer Chiefs. The once-feared Glamour Boys have been reduced to whispers in the title conversation, playing catch-up while their fiercest rivals collect silverware and secure continental bragging rights.

On Sunday, 13 April, it all kicks off. Orlando Pirates host Marumo Gallants at Orlando Stadium in the afternoon, before the heavyweight showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs lights up Loftus Versfeld Stadium. But beyond the football, there’s a bigger narrative at play, Chiefs aren’t just playing for a place in the final, they’re fighting for their identity.

Here, GOAL unpacks what each club is bringing to this weekend’s semi-final spotlight.

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  • Jose Riveiro - Nedbank Cup - GFX GOAL

    Orlando Pirates: Eyeing a treble & ready to pillage

    Pirates are breathing confidence after progressing to the Caf Champions League semi-finals. The Buccaneers have been on a mission this season, collecting wins, dispatching heavyweights and building a team that finally looks like it can dominate consistently.

    The Buccaneers have already given their fans plenty to cheer about this season, but now, they’ve got an emotional motivation that’s hard to ignore. With head coach Jose Riveiro set to leave at the end of the season after choosing not to renew his contract, this Nedbank Cup campaign takes on a deeper meaning.

    The Spaniard has revived the soul of this Pirates team, delivering trophies, structure and belief. And now, the players will be determined to give him the perfect send-off, by going all the way and lifting the Nedbank Cup one last time under his watch.

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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Marumo GallantsBackpage

    Marumo Gallants: The ultimate cup spoilers

    Don’t sleep on Gallants. They’ve been giant killers before and are quietly confident of springing another surprise in Soweto. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou masterminded a 2-0 win over Pirates back in March and that wasn’t a fluke.

    Gallants are tough, gritty and have nothing to lose. If they get past Pirates, it’ll be their second Nedbank Cup final in three years (they lost to Sundowns in the 2021/22 season). Their fairy tale is still being written and they want a magical ending. Gallants aren’t burdened by expectations and that could make them dangerous.

  • Peter Shalulile and Marcelo Allende, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Mamelodi Sundowns: A machine that won’t stop

    The Brazilians are operating like a well-oiled football machine. They’re dominating yet another Premier Soccer League season, they’ve marched into the Caf Champions League semi-finals and now they’re eyeing a domestic title with the Nedbank Cup in their sights.

    Their last triumph in this competition came in 2022 and while some might argue they don’t need this trophy, the Brazilians certainly want it. For a club that’s used to hoisting silverware, adding the Nedbank Cup would be the cherry on top of a season that’s already brimming.

    Coach Miguel Cardoso and his charges come into the semi-final battle against Chiefs full of confidence, but also carrying the fatigue of their continental campaign. Still, Sundowns don’t know how to slow down. They’re on a mission to conquer everything in front of them, and Chiefs just happen to be next in line.


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  • Nasreddine Nabi, Kaizer Chiefs, March 2025Backpagepix

    Kaizer Chiefs: Desperate, determined & dangerously close to collapse

    Enter the Glamour Boys, the club with the most to lose and everything to prove. It’s been 10 years without a trophy. A full decade. That’s an eternity for a club of this stature. They’re not just trying to win a cup, they’re fighting to reignite belief among their fans, to remind the football world that they are still one of South Africa’s elite.

    The pressure on coach Nasreddine Nabi is immense. Lose this semi-final and the calls for change may become deafening. A cup win might just be his lifeline. The players know what’s at stake, with Wandile Duba making a bold claim, promising that the club will deliver the Nedbank Cup title. 

  • Kaizer Chiefs FansBackpage

    Final thoughts: One cup, four stories, but only Chiefs need it to survive

    Pirates are building a dynasty, Sundowns are maintaining dominance, Gallants are writing their underdog script. But Chiefs? They’re trying to keep the fire from going out.

    Come Sunday, the spotlight won’t just be on the pitch, it’ll be on Amakhosi’s soul. Will they rise, roar and reclaim their seat at the table? Or will the ghosts of the past decade add another chapter of heartbreak?

    It’s time to deliver! No more promises. No more excuses. Just glory, or goodbye.

  • Nedbank Cup TrophyBackpage

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