Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was in action for Chippa United as they exited the Nedbank Cup following a 3-1 loss to Orlando Pirates at the weekend.
Nwabali who was instrumental for Chippa United to reach the semi final was unable to help his team to withstand the firepower of Pirates at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
With two goals by Kabelo Dlamini, the Buccaneers—the team defending the title—had a chance to become the first national cup winners to win it twice in a row since SuperSport United in 2015–16 and 2016–17.
After winning six straight games in all competitions and scoring 21 goals, Pirates’ recent stellar play is maintained with this victory.
Following a delayed kickoff (caused by a large number of fans attempting to enter the stadium at 3pm), Pirates had a chance to take the lead in the first thirty seconds when Chippa custodian Stanley Nwabali denied Tshegofatso Mabasa at close range.
Nevertheless, Kabelo Dlamini’s incredible attempt from a free kick in the fourth minute gave the Soweto team the lead.
The ball sank into the bottom corner of the net, leaving Nwabali glued to the spot on the goal line.
In the seventh minute, Chippa attempted a swift counterattack with a free kick of their own, but Brooklyn Poggenpoel’s shot went over the crossbar.
After a moment, Deon Hotto took an inadvertent kick to the head, forcing the Buccaneers to make an unscheduled substitute. Innocent Maela took Deon Hotto’s place.
After 20 minutes, Chippa made a strong attempt to reenter the game and created several offensive possibilities, but just before halftime, Pirates struck once more to seize complete control of the game.
Dlamini’s second goal of the game came from a pull-back from the right by-line, given by Patrick Maswanganyi.
Chippa players raised their hands and effectively stopped playing when they objected about what they believed to be some sort of infraction from Maswanganyi during the build-up.
However, television replays revealed that the Pirates had every right to carry on with their attack.
In an effort to get back into the game, both teams made substitutions at the beginning of the second half.
The Pirates introduced Miguel Timm, and Chippa substituted Elmo Kambindu and Papama Tyongwana.
And Kambindu duly responded in the 63rd minute, diving to score from close range after a superb assist from Bienvenu Eva Nga from the right of the penalty box, cutting the lead to 1-2.
However, Thapelo Xoki’s athletic and improvised finish at the back post after meeting Maswanganyi’s in-swinging cross from the right in the 81st minute ended the Chilli Boys’ chances of a spectacular comeback, making it 3-1.
In the 89th minute, Eva Nga was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for arguing with the referee, leaving the hosts down to 10 men.
Pirates will play in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, June 1 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit against either Stellenbosch FC or Mamelodi Sundowns.
