Orlando Pirates beat Chippa United 3-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to reach the Nedbank Cup final.
This meant that Pirates reached the Nedbank Cup final for a second consecutive season under coach Jose Riveiro.
The stage was set in Gqeberha, with the two sides playing in front of a sold out crowd. It would be Pirates who would lift the roof with a goal in just the fourth minute. A well taken left-footed free kick saw Kabelo Dlamini grant the visitors lift off. Still in the first half, Dlamini would complete his brace to hand the Buccaneers a commanding 2-0 lead at half time.
Chippa came back looking like a much more determined side in the second stanza, and eventually pulled on back. The hosts would threaten to make a game of the semifinal with Elmo Kambindu’s goal. Just when the Chilli Boys were pushing for an equaliser, they would concede at the other end. Tapelo Xoki would put the game beyond doubt as he slid in for a third goal.
Chiefs legend Mahlangu discovered Dlamini
With that goal Pirates earned themselves an opportunity to defend their Nedbank Cup crown. Speaking to iDiski Times before the game, Dlamini reveals he was discovered by a Kaizer Chiefs legend. The legend in question being Jabu Mahlangu (formerly Pule).
“Yes and I also want to say thank God for making it possible, for sending him to watch me train at the park. He was a blessing. You see at a park, in the morning during the week, players who don’t have clubs and those trying to break into the professional ranks, we trained at a park. Jabu Pule was passing by but he decided to stop, put on his boots and trained with us. That’s when he saw the kind of player I am. He asked for my number and a week after that he told me he spoke to Farouk [Khan] then I went to the academy for trials. I think on that day it was the first time he saw me playing because also my father is famous in Daveyton and he was a ‘Jabu Pule’ himself. So they knew each other but I didn’t know they knew each other.” Said Dlamini.
Dlamini also credited the former Chiefs legend Mahlangu for his humility.
Pirates star very grateful
“I think on that day it was the first time he saw me playing because also my father is famous in Daveyton and he was a ‘Jabu Pule’ himself. So they knew each other but I didn’t know they knew each other. He took my number, called Farouk and I went to trial. He did that and the rest is history.” Said Dlamini.
Dlamini has been in a hot streak of form for Pirates, scoring in four of their last five games. All in all, during that period he has had seven goal contributions, registering three assists as well. The playmaker will see his contract expire at the end of the season. There is talk that Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca are interested in bringing him to North Africa. Pirates on the other hand, are keen to offer him a new deal.
Following the win against Chippa, Pirates will wait to see who they face in the Nedbank Cup final. The second semifinal is set to be between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.