Nedbank Cup Semi-Final Preview

The finalists of the 2025 Nedbank Cup will be decided this Sunday after Orlando Pirates clash with Marumo Gallants and then Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs. Pirates and Sundowns enjoyed mammoth weeks in the Champions League, with both teams progressing to the semi-finals. There will be little time to rest, however, as the business end of the Nedbank Cup must also be finalised this weekend. This is only the second time that all three of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns have all reached the semifinals of this competition in the same season, and the first time this has happened since 2005/6.

Semi-final 1: Orlando Pirates v Marumo Gallants

Back in 2005/6, Orlando Pirates beat Tembisa Classic 2-1 in their semi-final, and they will be looking for a repeat of that this time around. Pirates have had fun in this competition since Coach Jose Riveiro first arrived on these shores and have not lost any of the 14 games under him in the competition. They will be looking to send him out on a high by lifting a third straight title, something that has only been done once before (ironically, by Pirates in the 1970s).

Before that, however, they must navigate a tricky tie against Marumo Gallants. After all, it was Marumo who put a dent in Pirates’ title march just over a month ago, beating Pirates 2-0. That said, the Bucs are favoured by the odds here, mostly because history is overwhelmingly in their favour.

100% – Pirates have a 100% record at the semi-final stage of this competition, progressing on all nine previous occasions.

Team to progress: Orlando Pirates
Value bet: Both teams to score

Semi-final 2: Sundowns v Kaizer Chiefs

The second semi-final sees Kaizer Chiefs travel to Sundowns to face a familiar foe at Loftus. Chiefs have been firing in the competition so far, bagging 10 goals in their three games played. The last time Chiefs had more goals in this competition was in 1999, when they scored 12 goals, including the final. Chiefs have scored as many goals in this season’s edition as they did in the previous five editions combined.

However, they have struggled against Sundowns in recent years – it has been four years since Chiefs beat Sundowns, with nine losses and three draws since April 2021. The odds favour Sundowns in this one, and their home form has a lot to do with that. Sundowns have played 20 home games across competitions this season, and they have lost just one (P20 W17 D2 L1) – unbeaten in the last 19.

100% – Since losing to Stellenbosch in August, Downs have won 100% of their home games in domestic competitions alone (P15 W15).

Team to progress: Sundowns
Value bet: Chiefs to score