Defending champions Orlando Pirates advanced to the Nedbank Cup final after defeating Chippa United 3-1 in the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
Nedbank Cup
Result: Chippa United 1-3 Orlando Pirates
Date: 04 May 2024
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Pirates made two changes following their victory over Cape Town City, as they were boosted by the return of Patrick Maswanganyi and Makhehlene Makhaula.
The Chilli Boys, meanwhile, were still without the Buccaneers loanee Goodman Mosele.
Pirates had a perfect start after Kabelo Dlamini fired them ahead within the first five minutes with a curling free-kick that left goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali flat-footed.
Chippa showed fighting spirit as they threatened the visitors but on 19 minutes the flow was interrupted after Pirates defender Deon Hotto sustained a head injury and he was eventually stretcherered off and replaced by Innocent Maela.
Jose Riveiro's charges looked to hit Chippa on transitions and just before the break, Dlamini doubled their lead and got his brace with a shot unmarked in the box from a pass by Maswanganyi, after the Chilli Boys stopped playing waiting for a whistle from the referee and were left exposed.
The Chilli felt they were still in the game and just after the hour-mark, Elmo Kambindu eventually pulled a goal back with a tap-in that he almost fluffed after a square pass by Bienvenu Eva Nga.
Riveiro looked to lock the game 12 minutes before time with a defensive and tactical change as Nkosinathi Sibisi replaced Dlamini.
However, Pirates continued to attack and moments later Tapelo Xoki eventually buried the game after making it 3-1 with an improvised finish unmarked at the back post after a cross by Maswanganyi.
Things got worse for Chippa in the dying minutes after they were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Eva Nga, who got a second yellow card.
Pirates will meet the winner between Stellenbosch and Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 32. Nwabali, 25. Kammies, 4. Makhele, 33. Chabalala, 27. Modise, 6. Poggenpoel, 24. Konqobe, 30. Martin, 26. Francis, 14. Kwayiba, 41. Eva Nga.
Subs: 31. Johnson, 22. Tyongwana, 11. Maarman, 35. Mahlatsi, 13. Luthuli, 45. Mqokozo, 29. Nhlapo, 8. Kambindu .
Orlando Pirates: 24. Chaine, 36. Sesane, 27. Xoki, 7. Hotto, 2. Monyane, 41. Mbatha, 16. Makhuala, 28. Maswanganyi, 38. Mofokeng, 18. Dlamini, 19. Mabasa
Subs: 35. Buthelezi, 23. Maela, 5. Sibisi, 4. Timm, 30. Baloni, 15. Ndlondlo, 21. Kapinga, 14. Saleng, 27. Makgopa
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