By Celani Sikhakhane
- Kaizer Chiefs are desperate to win their first trophy in 10 years under new coach Nasreddine Nabi.
- Orlando Pirates want to give coach José Riveiro a winning send-off in his last game with the team.
The Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates is set to be one of the biggest derbies in years.
Chiefs are trying to win their first trophy in a decade. It’s also their first season under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, and fans are desperate for silverware.
Pirates have had three strong seasons with coach José Riveiro, who is leaving after this match. The team wants to give him the perfect send-off — by beating their oldest rivals in a final.
But the big game at Moses Mabhida Stadium has been hit by problems.
Thousands of fans who bought tickets say they never got them. Some received booking confirmations and ticket references, only to later be told their tickets were not valid.
Kaizer Chiefs fan Tsietsi Mkansi from Sandton said he spent R15,000 on flights, a hotel and a rental car. “I got a ticket reference number, then later I got an email saying the ticket wasn’t generated,” he told the Sowetan. “I’ve come too far to just cancel.”
Others are also travelling to Durban without tickets, hoping to buy from resellers but police have warned against this.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Deputy Police Commissioner, Major-General Phumelele Makoba, said: “If you don’t have a ticket, don’t come to the stadium.”
She said police are watching social media for people planning trouble and will act fast on the day.
To avoid problems, the city of eThekwini has opened two fan parks, at Albert Park and Durban Beachfront, where fans without tickets can watch the match live on big screens. There will be tight security, entertainment and space for families.
The ticketing disaster began when more than 51,000 tickets were sold, even though the stadium only holds 49,000. The Premier Soccer League blamed a system error. Some fans have been refunded, but many are still waiting.
The final will be played in front of a full house, and no matter what happens, it will be emotional.
Kaizer Chiefs haven’t beaten Pirates since 2023. A win would mean everything. For Pirates, it’s the last dance with the coach who brought them so much success.
Pictured above: Fans gear up for the Soweto derby in Durban.
Image source: @OrlandoPirates
