Nedbank Cup: Orlando Pirates' Semifinal Record in SA FA Cup

• Orlando Pirates will take on the age-old enemy in Kaizer Chiefs for the right to play in the 2023 Nedbank Cup final
• Since the competition's rebranding from the ABSA Cup to Nedbank Cup in 2008, the Buccaneers have proven to be a formidable opponent in the semifinals
• Pirates is looking to win their fifth successive 'last four' match in South Africa's FA Cup

Orlando Pirates will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Nedbank Cup semifinals since the competition was first played in its current guise in 2008.

They will clash with old foes Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Pirates go into the game with an unblemished record at this stage of the competition as Sports Brief looks at how their four previous semifinals panned out.

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2011 – ORLANDO PIRATES 1-0 MPUMALANGA BLACK ACES (aet)

It took a few goes before Pirates made the semifinals but their first appearance in the Nedbank Cup’s current guise was in 2011 when they came up against Mpumalanga Black Aces. It would be a hard-fought affair that went to extra time before Tlou Segolela netted a winner after 110 minutes to seal a place in the final for the Buccaneers, where they beat second-tier Black Leopards.

2014 – MARITZBURG UNITED 1-2 ORLANDO PIRATES

Pirates were back in the semis three years later and it was another tough encounter as they travelled to Maritzburg United. But a Mario Booysen own goal and a strike from Mpho Makola had them 2-0 up just past the hour-mark before Terrence Mandaza set up a grandstand finish as he pulled one back for the home side. Pirates were able to hold on and went on to beat Bidvest Wits in the final.

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2016 – FREE STATE STARS 2-4 ORLANDO PIRATES

A six-goal thriller in this semifinal in which Pirates were always in control against Giovanni Solinas’ Free State Stars but were made to sweat to the end. A Lucky Mohomi own goal and a strike from Luvuyo Memela had Pirates 2-0 up at halftime, but when Ayanda Nkosi pulled one back for Stars, there were some nerves. Memela netted again six minutes from fulltime and Thamsanqa Gabuza grabbed a fourth to seal the deal for the Buccaneers before Mohomi netted right at the end in the final minute. Pirates lost to SuperSport United in the decider.

2017 – LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS 0-1 ORLANDO PIRATES

Pirates edged this tense semifinal with a single goal from Abbubaker Mobara in the first half as they reached back-to-back finals, though once again they fell short against SuperSport in the decider. It ensured the Buccaneers’ 100 per cent record in semifinal games and was the second time they had kept a clean sheet in the last four matches. Can they now make it five in a row against Chiefs?

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Chiefs' Nedbank Cup semifinals record

Like Pirates, Sports Brief dove into how the Amakhosi have fared in the last four of the competition in the Nedbank sponsorship era.

The mighty Amakhosi have been involved in four semifinal clashes in the Nedbank Cup since 2008 and will certainly be looking to improve their record when they encounter Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

Going past Orlando Pirates would move Kaizer Chiefs closer to breaking their trophy draught which is just about to near a decade.