Nedbank Cup: Kaizer Chiefs stun Sundowns to set up Soweto Derby final

Photo Credit: Mamelodi Sundowns

South Africa's dominant club, Mamelodi Sundowns, fell victim to an inspired performance from Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday as AmaKhosi advanced to the final of the Nedbank Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Chiefs' victory sets up a Soweto Derby with rivals Orlando Pirates after Ashley du Preez's 89th minute finish saw them come back from a halftime deficit. Wandile Duba's 57th minute equalizer canceled out Teboho Mokoena's powerful free kick that opened the scoring for Sundowns at the end of the first half.

An even first half saw both teams battle for supremacy with a motivated Chiefs side providing plenty of resistance in a competition where they have shown their best this season. The visitors did suffer a setback in first half stoppage time when a foul just outside their penalty area led to Mokena's technical strike, leaving Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma with no chance.

But Chiefs showed plenty of resilience in the second half and a costly error from Sundowns defender Lucas Suárez allowed the visitors back into the match. Duba intercepted Suarez's slack pass and surged past the Argentinean to slot home past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. With the match appearing set for extra time, Lehlogonolo Matlou's cross was precise for du Preez to finish from close range and supporters of The Glamour Boys were in ecstasy.

It was a stunning result for Sundowns who had just secured passage to the CAF Champions League semifinals. However, there has been a tendency for the Pretoria giants to fall short in the Nedbank Cup in recent years.

Chiefs continue to disappoint in the Betway Premiership but this match was always going to bring out the best of an inconsistent AmaKhosi side who have shown promising moments this season.

Now Chiefs and embattled head coach Nasreddine Nabi have an opportunity to salvage their season with a place in the CAF Confederation Cup next season if they can defeat rivals Pirates in the final. Pirates have won the last four matches against Chiefs including a 2-1 extra time victory in the semifinals of the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup, the first of two consecutive cup triumphs for reigning champions Pirates.