PIC: Jose Riveiro

Coach Jose Riveiro will defend a remarkable record in the Nedbank Cup when his Orlando Pirates side face Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the 2025 decider at the Modes Mabhida Stadium in Durban on May 10. 

The Spanish coach is unbeaten in 14 previous ties in the competition since his arrival in the country in 2022, 12 of which have been won outright, with two via spot-kicks.
He is now seeking a hat-trick of titles in South Africa’s most prestigious cup competition and to leave his post at the end of the campaign with an ‘invincible’ record in the Nedbank Cup over three seasons, giving him a unique piece of history.  

Here is a look back at his record.

ALL STARS 0 ORLANDO PIRATES 2 

February 11, 2023 – Last 32

It took an hour for Pirates to make the breakthrough against second-tier All Stars as Monnapule Saleng and Thembinkosi Lorch eased the nerves of the side in the second period. It was a hard-fought clash that Pirates certainly did not have their own way.

ORLANDO PIRATES 2 VENDA FC 1

March 11, 2023 – Last 16

After extra-time

Another hard-fought clash against a second-tier side, Pirates led midway through the first period through Kermit Erasmus, but former Kaizer Chiefs forward Edmore Chirambadare equalised for Venda early in the second period. That sent the game to extra-time and Lorch came up with the winning moment in the 113th minute.   

DONDOL STARS 1 ORLANDO PIRATES 1 

April 15, 2023 – Quarterfinals

After extra-time; Pirates won 5-4 on penalties

Dondol Stars had already seen off SuperSport United and AmaZulu in the earlier rounds, but this was expected to be a comfortable cruise for Pirates. It proved anything but though as Lorch game them a second-half lead, only for Stars to hit back two minutes later through Tebogo Makungo. The game went to extra-time and penalties, with Pirates eventually triumphing 5-4 on spot-kicks. 

KAIZER CHIEFS 1 ORLANDO PIRATES 2

May 6, 2023 – Semifinals

After extra-time

A Soweto Derby to add extra-spice to this semifinal and for the third game running Pirates were taken to extra-time. They led early on through Erasmus, but when Yusuf Maart equalised for Chiefs, the tie was thrown in the balance again. The winner came from an unlikely source as Sandile Mthethwa netted what remains his only goal in two years.  

ORLANDO PIRATES 2 SEKHUKHUNE UNITED 1

May 27, 2023 – Final

Pirates had to come from behind to claim the title as Sibusiso Vilakazi put Sekhukhune into an early lead. Xoki equalised from the penalty-spot just before halftime, before Terrence Dzvukamanja prevented the game from going to extra-time with a 95th minute winner as The Buccaneers claimed the trophy.   

CRYSTAL LAKE 0 ORLANDO PIRATES 6

February 24, 2024 – Last 32

Pirates came up against Mpumalanga fourth-tier side Crystal Lake and secured a handsome win. After an early own goal from the home side’s Adam Khumalo, Xoki scored twice (one penalty) to go with goals for Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Tshegofatso Mabasa. It is their biggest win in the Nedbank Cup since 2008.    

ORLANDO PIRATES 4 HUNGRY LIONS 0

March 16, 2024 – Last 16

Pirates eased past second-tier Hungry Lions with another big win this season, though the tie was perhaps closer than the scoreline suggests. A Morena Monaheng own goal had Pirates in front at the break, but it wasn’t until Mabasa scored on 66 minutes that they doubled their advantage. Saleng and Mabasa added further goals to give the score a more emphatic look.

AMAZULU 2 ORLANDO PIRATES 4
April 13, 2024 – Quarterfinals
This always looked a tricky game on paper and so it proved, but Pirates came through in the end. They trailed in the first half but goals from Maswanganyi and Kabelo Dlamini turned the tie on its head. Usuthu equalised midway through the second period to make it 2-2, but Pirates mental strength shone through and they scored twice in the final 10 minutes as Makhehlene Makhaula and Dlamini netted for the visitors. 
 

CHIPPA UNITED 1 ORLANDO PIRATES 3

May 4, 2024 – Semifinals
Pirates made a fast start to this semifinal at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as Dlamini netted inside five minutes and then got another shortly before halftime. There were some jitters for Pirates when Elmo Kambindu scored for Chippa, but the tie was made safe when Xoki netted his third of the competition with nine minutes left on the clock.  

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS 1 ORLANDO PIRATES 2

June 1, 2024 – Final

A showpiece final at a sold out Mbombela Stadium, Pirates won the day as they scored the winner deep into injury-time at the end of the game for the second year running. Lucas Ribeiro missed an early penalty for Sundowns, but the Tshwane side took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through Temba Zwane. Pirates got a penalty of their own that was converted by Maswanganyi, before 19-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng became the youngest ever Nedbank Cup final scorer with a super late winner.

RICHARDS BAY 1 ORLANDO PIRATES 3

January 26, 2025 – Last 32

This looked a tricky away day as Richards Bay have had some success over Pirates in the recent past, but The Buccaneers came out on top. Maswanganyi scored a quickfire brace midway through the first half, but Yanela Mbuthuma pulled a goal back for the host early in the second period. The game was not made safe until Mabasa scored a third in injury-time at the end of the match.

ORLANDO PIRATES 3 BAROKA FC 1

February 15, 2025 – Last 16

Pirates’ most recent success came against second-tier Baroka FC and was earned thanks to a hat-trick from Mabasa. He showed a clinical touch in front of goal to finish off some superb moves from The Bucaneers, with the excellent Maswanganyi pulling the strings. In doing so, Mabasa became Pirates’ highest ever scorer in the Nedbank Cup with eight goals. Baroka pulled a goal back through Sydney Malivha, but it was too little, too late. 

SUPERSPORT UNITED 2 ORLANDO PIRATES 2

March 8, 2025 – Quarterfinals

After extra-time; Pirates won 5-4 on penalties

A scare in a game where Pirates twice led but were pegged back by a stubborn opponent. Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa had them in the lead, but on both occasions they could not hold onto that advantage and the tie went to spot-kicks. As with the shoot-out against Dondol Stars, The Buccaneers held their nerve and won 5-4.

ORLANDO PIRATES 1 MARUMO GALLANTS 0
April 13, 2025 - Semifinals

Pirates were overwhelming favourites for this tie but were made to work had, with Kabelo Dlamini’s goal in the first half settling the contest. It kept up the club’s incredible record of winning all seven Nedbank Cup semifinals they have played, and booked a third successive final appearance for Riveiro and his team.