Kaizer Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup victory leads to nationwide celebrations

by Nomonde Simelane

Kaizer Chiefs has made a case for being the biggest sports club across all codes, as the nation recently rallied behind Amakhosi after they emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup Final against archrivals Orlando Pirates.

In the midst of immense doubt, questioning and criticism, head coach Nasredine Nabi and his Kaizer Chiefs squad has restored the the hopes of over an estimated 16 million fans, as they put an end to a 10-year silverware drought after securing a 2-1 victory in the Nedbank Cup Final against their fellow Soweto Giant neighbours Orlando Pirates in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

This victory is an immensely significant one for Amakhosi and its fans, as it marks their first trophy since 2015 when they snatched the premiership title under the reign of English legend Stuart Baxter. Interestingly, it was against Orlando Pirates, in the same Moses Mabhida when Kaizer Chiefs secured their last trophy a decade ago. Furthermore, despite this drought, which felt never-ending for fans, they hold the most trophies than any other South African club.

Despite some doubts regarding Nabi’s coaching, as well as the players’ abilities, fans embodied the word loyalty and stuck it through with their club, and are reaping the rewards as they have been celebrating the major win since the final whistle blew. This has softened the blow of the club’s failure to at least secure a top eight position in the premier league.

A few players have emerged as heroes of Saturday’s showdown, including the club’s captain Yusuf Maart, who slotted the winning goal in the 79th minute, propelling Chiefs to a long-awaited victory. Youngster Wandile Duba was also hailed for his unrelenting effort on the field.

This victory has proven to be a significant one, and saw entities like SABC 1, the Gauteng Provincial Government, as well as prominent figures such as deputy president Paul Mashatile offering congratulatory messages to Amakhosi.

Since the final whistle blew, to mark the end of one of the biggest football fixtures in the country, Kaizer Chiefs fans from all corners of the country took to the streets to celebrate their team putting an end to the long drought. This moment has been a testament to the club’s impact on SA football and has made a case for Amakhosi being the biggest and most loved team in the county.

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