Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Rivalry of Highs and Lows at Moses Mabhida Stadium
The stage is set for another dramatic chapter in South Africa’s most storied football rivalry. Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates prepare to clash in the 2025 Nedbank Cup final at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. This will be the fifth time the prestigious decider is played at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue. It is a ground that has delivered both triumph and heartache for these Soweto giants.
A Tale of Two Clubs and One Ground
Kaizer Chiefs, one of the country’s most supported clubs, has a history of mixed fortunes at Moses Mabhida. The stadium witnessed one of their proudest cup moments in 2013. A dramatic long-range strike by Bernard Parker in extra-time secured a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United. However, the same ground became the site of one of their lowest points in 2019. They were stunned 1-0 by TS Galaxy — the first and only time a second-tier side has lifted the Nedbank Cup.
For Orlando Pirates, the stadium holds a similarly bittersweet legacy. They were victorious in the 2014 final, comfortably defeating BidVest Wits 3-1. But in 2017, they suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United. The Buccaneers will hope to improve on their 50% success rate in Nedbank Cup finals at this venue. They meet their arch-rivals again.
Pirates’ Strong Connection to the Stadium
Beyond the Nedbank Cup, the Moses Mabhida Stadium has become something of a happy hunting ground for Pirates. They have lifted seven trophies there. These include MTN8 triumphs in 2010, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the 2011 Telkom Knockout, and the 2014 Nedbank Cup. However, their three defeats — including two MTN8 final losses and the 2017 Nedbank setback — remind them that the venue does not guarantee success.
This upcoming final will mark Pirates’ 11th at the stadium, underlining their familiarity with its atmosphere and significance. Their first triumph at the venue came shortly after the 2010 World Cup. They edged Moroka Swallows on penalties in the MTN8 final, setting the tone for years of memorable moments.
A Rotating Legacy of Final Venues
Moses Mabhida is one of 12 different venues to have hosted the Nedbank Cup final since the tournament’s rebranding in 2008. Only Orlando Stadium (2012, 2020) and, as of 2024, Mbombela Stadium have hosted multiple finals alongside Durban’s flagship ground. The stadium has steadily built a reputation as a preferred choice. Especially when neutral ground is needed — a key factor in venue selection unless both finalists hail from the same province.
In the past, non-neutral venues were used under unique circumstances. The 2020 final was played in a bio-secure bubble in Gauteng due to COVID-19. Orlando Stadium hosted Sundowns’ win over Celtic. Similarly, Johannesburg Stadium and FNB Stadium hosted earlier finals in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The latter served as a showcase ahead of the World Cup.
Interestingly, Ellis Park remains the only 2010 World Cup venue yet to stage a Nedbank Cup final.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando: Another Chapter in Durban
As Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates prepare to reignite their rivalry at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the venue’s legacy grows ever more entwined with South African football’s biggest moments. For Chiefs, it’s a chance to exorcise past demons. For Pirates, it’s a bid to further cement their dominance at a ground that has often felt like a second home. One thing is certain — Durban is set for a spectacle befitting the magnitude of this clash.
Also read: Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates: Derby Winner to Seize Nedbank Cup Advantage?
