Orlando Pirates will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in Nedbank Cup semifinals since the competition was first played in its current guise in 2008 as they 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 we look at how their four previous semifinals panned out …
2011 – ORLANDO PIRATES 1-0 MPUMALANGA BLACK ACES
After extra-time
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 though and went on to beat BidVest Wits in the final.
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 at the right 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 last-four matches. Can they now make it five in a row against Chiefs?