The 2023 Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday will be a special occasion for two players from The Buccaneers, who could make it three appearances in the prestigious decider in a row.
The Pirates midfield duo of Miguel Timm and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo appeared in the last two Nedbank Cup finals and the latter in particular has had quite the rollercoaster ride.
Ironically, the duo’s Pirates teammate Kermit Erasmus is another player to feature in three finals in succession when he won the 2012 title with SuperSport United, lost the following year with Matsatsantsa to Kaizer Chiefs and then helped Pirates to the 2014 trophy as they beat BidVest Wits.
Ndlondlo has been both the hero, and to a certain extent villain, in his two final appearances to date.
He was a key part of the Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) side that edged Chippa United in the 2021 final with a 1-0 win.
The only goal that day was scored by industrious midfielder as he picked up the ball 35 yards from goal and unleashed a viscous drive that took a deflection and went into the net.
TTM were able to quite comfortably hold on for the title and Ndlondlo won acclaim for his all-round performance as he was named Man of the Match in what was a real career high.
Fast forward 12 months and TTM had been renamed Marumo Gallants but were the same club. They reached the final again, this time having to face the might of Mamelodi Sundowns in the decider at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.
It would be a tense and tight affair, and once more Ndlondlo would start, but this time it ended in personal disappointment when he received a red card in the 111th minute as the clash went to extra-time.
It was for a second bookable offence, certainly nothing malicious, but it left Gallants to try and see how the remaining minutes with 10 men. They almost did too until Thapelo Morena scored with virtually the last kick of the game.
“I don’t think it was a red card, I thought the referee (Masixole Bambiso) was too harsh on us compared to how he was with Sundowns. But it is part of the game, we can be proud with the way we performed in the match,” Ndlondlo said.
“The red card cost the team in a manner whereby I believe we would have created another chance to score. It was unfortunate to lose in that manner. We should have at least taken the game to penalties, and then you never know.”
Timm played in every minute of those two finals as well having followed the same path as Ndlondlo at TTM/Gallants, before joining Pirates in this campaign.
Both players have a good chance of starting in the decider on Saturday, having been a revelation in this campaign for The Buccaneers, who have already collected the MTN8 title and finished second in the league, earning CAF Champions League football next season.