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IOL News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
In retrospective: From Jomo Sono to Relebohile Mofokeng – Pirates' iconic Nedbank Cup triumphs
Jerry Sikhosana scored the last hat-trick in the Soweto Derby in 1996 during the BobSave SuperBowl (today's Nedbank Cup) semi-final for Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orlando Pirates have lifted the Nedbank Cup in each of the past two seasons, and a win on Saturday would see them complete their first treble under the current sponsorship of the competition. Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, haven't tasted Nedbank Cup glory since the 2012/13 season. As they prepare for what could be one of the most significant finals in the club's storied history, there's plenty on the line when they face off against the Buccaneers at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (15:30 kick-off). As we build up to this massive showdown, we take a look at the top five moments Pirates have enjoyed in this competition over the years. Jomo Sono Mainstay Cup | 1980 final vs Moroka Swallows Following a dominant spell in the Life Challenge Cup, the Sea Robbers endured a four-season drought in the competition, making their return to glory all the more crucial in a high-stakes Soweto derby clash against Moroka Swallows. Orlando Pirates edged a thrilling 3-2 victory, with the decisive moment coming in the second half when Webster Lichaba was brought down in the box. Up stepped the golden boy, Jomo Sono, who calmly slotted home the penalty to break the 2-2 deadlock at halftime—securing the Buccaneers' first win of the competition in five attempts. Jerry Sikhosana | 1996 Bobsave Superbowl semi-final vs Kaizer Chiefs The two giants had previously clashed in the 1988 final, where Orlando Pirates claimed a 2-1 victory. Fast forward to their next major cup meeting, and Chiefs faced an uphill battle against a red-hot Pirates side that had just clinched the CAF Champions League title the year before. Jerry Sikhosana was unstoppable on the day, tearing through the Amakhosi defence with a sensational hat-trick, while Helman Mkhalele added a fourth to seal a dominant performance. That emphatic win sent the Buccaneers into the final, where they edged past Jomo Cosmos 1-0 to lift their sixth title in the competition. Thulasizwe Mbuyane | 2011 Nedbank Cup final vs Black Leopards Their triumph over Jomo Cosmos would prove to be their last Nedbank Cup victory for over a decade, as Pirates had to endure a 13-year wait before reclaiming the title—finally lifting the trophy again in the 2010/11 season after defeating lower-division side Black Leopards in the final. Thulasizwe Mbuyane stole the show with a brilliant brace, and alongside Isaac Chansa's contribution, the Buccaneers cruised to a commanding 3-1 win. The Limpopo-based outfit's only goal came via a Rooi Mahamutsa own goal. That victory marked a remarkable campaign for Pirates, who went on to complete a historic treble after also clinching the league and MTN8 titles under the guidance of coach Ruud Krol. Kermit Erasmus | 2014 Nedbank Cup final vs Bidvest Wits Chasing what would have been their eighth Nedbank Cup title, Pirates entered the final carrying the weight of a previous setback—having already fallen 1-0 to Chiefs in the MTN8 final earlier in the 2014/15 season. The Clever Boys drew first blood, heading into the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to a Jabulani Shongwe strike, and for the Buccaneers, it felt like deja vu as another cup final appeared to be slipping away. But Vladimir Vermezovic's halftime team talk sparked a transformation. Pirates returned to the pitch sharper and more ruthless, turning the tide with three second-half goals—Kermit Erasmus leading the charge with a well-taken brace and Sifiso Myeni solo goal sealing a memorable comeback. Relebophile Mofokeng | 2024 Nedbank Cup final vs Mamelodi Sundowns
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive!
Give them their flowers now – while they are still alive! SEDIBENG.- Jomo Sono once said, 'Don't honour or name a stadium after me when I'm dead. If you want to honour me, do it now while I'm still alive.' Zakes' Sports Corner totally agrees with him! The funeral of Simon 'Bull' Lehoko reminded me of Bra J's (Jomo Sono) words. This thing of making promises to the families of these former players after they have passed on is nothing but hypocritical, to say the least. Zakes' Sports Corner has said this before, people like Dr Molefi Oliphant and Ntate Lehoko were supposed to be honoured a long time ago, but no! Ntate Lehoko is gone without being honoured by the Vaal community for his contribution not only to Vaal football, but South African football. A person lucky enough to be honoured while he was still alive was former football par excellence administrator George 'Kid Action' Thabe. The George Thabe Stadium was named after him while he was still alive and kicking. For that, Zakes' Sports Corner gives that particular person or institution a round of applause. Ironically, the same can't be said about Ntate Lehoko, who dedicated his life to the development of South African football when it wasn't easy. This was during those days when apartheid was the order of the day. MATTER OF FACT, Ntate Lehoko won't forgive us for not giving him his flowers while he was still alive. We are a generation that doesn't care about others! This thing of coming to people's funerals and lying with our straight faces must come to an end. We are nothing but football hypocrites! It is sad when people use other people's funerals as a popularity contest! This is absolutely wrong, to say the least. Ntate Oliphant is the last man standing with so many accolades, but still yet to be honoured. For starters, Ntate Oliphant is not only a football administrator guru but also an academic of note. He was a teacher, principal and director of education, to mention but a few! Some men and women play an important role in our society, but we fail to honour them while they are still alive. Why? Bra J is right, don't give them flowers after their departure, give them now while they are still alive. Zakes' Sports Corner appeals to football people to stop using their former teammates' funerals as a meeting point. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
