Kaizer Chiefs coach Kaze: Pressure is on Orlando Pirates in Nedbank Cup final

Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says the team is comfortable with the underdog label ahead of Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates. .

The Nedbank Cup final kicks off at 3.30pm on Saturday and will be played in front of a sold-out crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

With Pirates currently on a five-game winning streak in the Soweto Derby, all the anticipation for the Sea Robbers to make it a sixth win in a row. 

Kaze, however, has embraced his team not being given a chance. 

“I’m very happy to come into this game as an underdog,” Kaze told the media in Durban on Wednesday.

“And we know what are our chances, we played them not long ago. We feel it is a privilege to play them two times in such a short period, but a final is a final and I’m very happy that all the pressure from this final is on Orlando Pirates’ shoulders.”

The Soweto giants meet for the second time in a week, with Pirates having edged Chiefs 2-1 in their recent Betway Premiership clash. But Kaze believes the nature of a cup final changes the equation.

“The beauty of games like this is that there is no need for extra motivation because everyone is already fully motivated,” he said.

“It is a final (of the Nedbank Cup) and it’s a derby, so motivation is at maximum. In fact, we have to try and calm the mood slightly to prevent the players getting too tense and overhyped.”

“You need a good balance to give a good performance. You have to have a clear head to carry out the game-plan, and play without fear.”

Despite a difficult season under new coach Nasreddine Nabi, Chiefs will be aiming to end a near 10-year trophy drought. 

Their last domestic title came in 2015. Kaze, however, says the team is focused and looking forward to the occasion.

“I think it will be different to the league game last Saturday,” he said. 

“This is a cup game with a trophy waiting at the end of it. It’s simple. We have to be efficient in both boxes, defending well and scoring goals.”

Pirates go into the final as defending champions and are aiming to win the Nedbank Cup for the third consecutive season under Jose Riveiro. 

While Chiefs have a richer historical record in the competition — with 13 titles compared to Pirates’ 10 — it is the Buccaneers who arrive with more recent success.

Still, Kaze believes his side is preparing well and understands the demands of the big occasion.

“It is true that a final carries a degree of pressure that can sometimes take the ‘flavour’ out of the beautiful game, because nobody wants to lose,” he added. 

“But as I said, we aim to be efficient and get the result.”

Both clubs will be well-supported in Durban, where the atmosphere is expected to reflect the magnitude of the fixture. 

With pride, history, and silverware on the line, the stage is set — but Chiefs are clear on where they stand in the buildup..