From Nedbank Cup drama to destiny: Soweto giants push for strong league finish

Post-cup emotions aside, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates still have work to do in the final stretch of the DStv Premiership season. But that’s just my opinion.

The dust has barely settled after what was a dramatic Nedbank Cup final, but for the Soweto giants, the grind continues. While Chiefs lifted their first trophy in nearly a decade with a 2-1 win over their arch-rivals, both teams now return to league action with unfinished business and widely contrasting targets.

For Chiefs, the cup triumph offers a long-awaited confidence boost after a tumultuous season. For Pirates, it’s a bitter blow softened only by the fact that a top-two finish – and CAF Champions League football – remains within reach.

Now, with just days left in the season, both clubs will have to park their emotions and focus on finishing strong.

Pirates: Saying goodbye, but chasing second

Pirates’ immediate task is finding the balance between transition and ambition. Their 2-1 come-from-behind win over Golden Arrows last week kept them in mathematical contention for the title, but back-to-back 3-0 wins by Sundowns all but sealed the championship. The Brazilians just need to keep doing what they have been doing so comfortably of late and they can seal the deal.

That makes second place the new prize for Bucs – and it’s well within reach.

Five games remain for the Buccaneers, beginning with a second clash against Arrows – one that will also mark coach José Riveiro’s final match in charge at Orlando Stadium. 

The Spaniard’s unexpected early exit adds an emotional undertone to an already high-stakes run-in.

From there, Pirates take on TS Galaxy, SuperSport United, AmaZulu, and finally Magesi FC. On paper, their quality gives them the edge – especially against inconsistent sides like SuperSport and Galaxy – but a tricky trip to Durban to face AmaZulu could prove decisive.

The bigger question, however, is how Pirates handle Riveiro’s departure mid-run. Any managerial turbulence could open the door for Stellenbosch or Sekhukhune to leapfrog into second – but if they hold their nerve, Pirates are well placed to collect 12 points from their final 15.

Chiefs: Riding momentum into top-eight fight

For Chiefs, the task is simpler – but no less urgent. Their cup win delivered long-overdue silverware, but in league terms, they remain outside the top eight and at risk of missing out on next season’s MTN8.

I know, that sounds a bit alarming, but take a deep, hopeful breath.

But, with two games left, goal difference is all that separates them from eighth. And to remedy that, their first up is a trip to Sekhukhune United – a side fighting for a top-three finish and not one to be taken lightly. 

All in all, the clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium is no gimme, but Chiefs will be buoyed by their recent form and support in Limpopo.

Their final fixture, at home to Polokwane City, could shape the destiny of both clubs, and it promises to be a bit of a humdinger. Just three points separate the sides, and with neither guaranteed a top-eight spot, it could feel more like a play-off than a final league match.

I have a feeling that the sparks are going to fly, so this could be a game to watch.

What Chiefs cannot afford is a post-celebration dip in focus. With renewed belief under Nasreddine Nabi, the squad will aim to collect at least four points – enough to edge them into eighth and salvage a campaign that for long stretches this season looked directionless.

Endgame for Soweto's best

SO with the Nedbank Cup final safely tucked away in the Naturena trophy cabinet and with all that Cup drama having delivered the headlines, the closing rounds of the league are not going to taper off into a dull procession. 

This last run will write the final verdict on each team’s season. For Pirates, it’s about ensuring continuity beyond Riveiro and restoring continental credibility, while for Chiefs, it's about building on long-awaited joy – it must have felt like an eternity – and laying down a marker for next season.

So whether the finish is triumphant or turbulent, both Soweto giants supporters cannot afford to pack their fan-kit away just yet, these two teams  still have everything to play for, and they are going to need all the “gees”their fans can bring.