The stage is set at Moses Mabhida Stadium for a blockbuster finale as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates square off in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final. Scheduled for a 15h30 kick-off on Saturday afternoon, this match is more than just a decider—it’s a battle for pride, redemption, and supremacy in South African football’s fiercest rivalry.

This marks the latest chapter in a saga that stretches back over five decades. Saturday’s clash will be the 183rd official meeting between these two powerhouses since 1970, with Chiefs leading the all-time head-to-head with 74 victories. Pirates have claimed 49 wins, while 54 matches have ended level. The intensity of their rivalry has even led to five abandoned fixtures—testament to the high emotions and pressure that always accompany the Soweto Derby.

It’s also the 22nd time Chiefs and Pirates meet in the Nedbank Cup, dating back to their first final clash in 1971. Interestingly, three of those finals—in 1971, 1981, and 1988—required replays to determine a winner.

This latest edition, the 53rd final of the competition since its inception (the 2001–02 season was not held), promises to add another iconic chapter to their storied legacy.

For Kaizer Chiefs, this final represents more than just silverware. It’s a chance to end a painful 12-year trophy drought, with their last cup win coming in 2013. Having returned to the Nedbank Cup final for the first time since 2019, they are under immense pressure to finally deliver for their fans. New head coach Nasreddine Nabi, who lost both league derbies to Pirates this season, is eyeing revenge on the grandest domestic stage.

On the other side, Orlando Pirates arrive as defending champions and are chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Nedbank Cup title. Head coach José Riveiro has yet to taste defeat in this competition, boasting a flawless record across 14 matches. Should he win again, he’ll seal an extraordinary three-peat and bid farewell to the tournament with a perfect legacy.

This will be the third time Pirates defend their title in a final against Chiefs, adding yet another layer of intrigue. The timing adds further narrative weight, as the Soweto rivals meet in back-to-back weekends across two different competitions for the first time since the 2019–20 season. Back then, Chiefs edged Pirates in a league cup quarterfinal via penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw and followed that up with a dramatic 3-2 league win the next weekend.

As the sun sets over Durban on Saturday, all eyes will be on Moses Mabhida Stadium for what promises to be a thunderous encounter. Chiefs are desperate to end their silverware drought. Pirates are poised to make history. The Soweto Derby, on Nedbank Cup final day—this is football theatre at its very best.