Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo © Gallo Photos
Gamers from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will hope to go down in native soccer folklore by scoring a Nedbank Cup ultimate winner when the groups meet within the decider of this 12 months’s competitors on the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
It is going to be an opportunity to not solely earn their group silverware, but in addition be remembered for years to return, with cup ultimate heroes residing lengthy within the reminiscence.
Kermit Erasmus has three Nedbank Cup ultimate targets to his identify, the one participant to have managed that quantity within the decider since 2008.
He’s additionally the one participant to have scored for 2 completely different golf equipment within the ultimate, as soon as for SuperSport United of their 2012 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns, earlier than grabbing a brace for Pirates of their 3-1 success towards Bidvest Wits two years later.
He’s not the one participant within the Buccaneers squad trying so as to add to their ultimate tally although – Pirates midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo netted the winner for TTM within the 2021 victory over Chippa United, however was then despatched off the next 12 months as Marumo Gallants misplaced to Sundowns. He will even have revenge on his thoughts.
He may play within the ultimate for a outstanding fifth successive season, a uncommon feat certainly.
Tapelo Xoxi scored from the penalty spot for Pirates as they beat Sekhukhune United in 2023, whereas Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng had been on track as they defeated Sundowns to retain their title final 12 months.
Pirates ahead Zakhele Lepasa scored a well-known purpose for TS Galaxy within the 2019 ultimate whereas on mortgage on the then-second-tier facet, serving to the membership to a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in Durban. However he has not featured for the membership this season.
On the Chiefs facet, Gaston Sirino will probably be hoping to grow to be the second participant to internet for a number of golf equipment. He scored the winner for Sundowns within the 2020 decider towards Bloemfontein Celtic, however has since moved to Chiefs.
30 GOALSCORERS
There have been 30 separate Nedbank Cup ultimate goalscorers down the years, however solely 5 of these have managed multiple strike, whereas there have additionally been two unlucky personal targets.
Except for Erasmus’ three targets, there are 4 extra strikers on two targets, although just one who continues to be energetic within the home sport.
Sifiso Vilakazi netted a brace for Wits as they lifted the title in 2010, whereas a 12 months later Thulasizwe Mbuyane scored twice for Pirates as they beat Black Leopards 3-1.
The opposite two are Jeremy Brockie and Bradley Grobler, each for SuperSport United in successive ultimate wins over Pirates in 2016 and 2017. Grobler stays a Matsatsantsa participant.
The 2 personal targets, fortunately, didn’t end in defeats as former Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa put the ball into his personal internet in 2011, however his facet nonetheless received 3-1 towards Leopards, and Clayton Daniels did likewise within the colors of SuperSport towards Pirates in 2016. Matsatsantsa claimed a 3-2 victory.
Among the many different scorers, notable winners have come from Lerato Chabangu (Sundowns) in 2008 and Goodman Dlamini (Free State Stars) in 2018.
NEDBANK CUP FINAL GOALSCORERS (since 2008)
3 targets – Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United 1, Orlando Pirates 2)
2 – Jeremy Brockie (SuperSport United), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Vilakazi (BidVest Wits)
1 – Michael Boxall (SuperSport United), Lerato Chabangu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates), Vinicius Da Silva (Moroka Swallows), Sede Dion (Marumo Gallants), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates), Goodman Dlamini (Free State Stars), Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Luvuyo Memela (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sifiso Myeni (Orlando Pirates), Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (TTM), Kingston Nkhatha (SuperSport United), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Fabricio Rodrigues (BidVest Wits), Thabo September (SuperSport United), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jabulani Shongwe (BidVest Wits), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Sekhukhune United), Tapelo Xoki (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Personal targets – Clayton Daniels (SuperSport United), Rooi Mahamutsa (Orlando Pirates)
