Orlando Pirates have the Nedbank Cup in the bag against Kaizer Chiefs, says former Buccaneer
The Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will go according to the form book according to one former player. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Former Buccaneers player Lizo Mjempu predicts that Orlando Pirates will triumph over Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final, once again.
Mjempu insisted that Pirates will prevail again in the second Soweto Derby in the space of a week, as the cup final is set for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3.30pm.
In their Betway Premiership clash last weekend, Pirates defeated their old rivals 2-1, featuring a number of youngsters in their side.
Pirates defeated Golden Arrows 2-1 on Tuesday evening, and their focus would have been solely on the cup trophy match for the remainder of the week.
Mjempu Predicts Pirates' Victory Over Chiefs in Nedbank Cup Final
Mjempu, who spent the 2011/2012 season with Pirates, was certain in his prediction.
“I am 100% in agreement with those people who believe that Pirates will beat Chiefs again and win the Nedbank Cup for the third season in a row,” Mjempu told Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview.
“I don’t foresee any upset. Chiefs players lack confidence in my opinion, and that’s the big difference between the two teams. Pirates, on the other side, are oozing with confidence because of how well they’ve been performing,” he said.
With the games coming thick and fast for Pirates as they still have a game in hand over league table toppers Mamelodi Sundowns, there have been concerns about fatigue affecting the players.
After the Arrows victory, Pirates coach José Riveiro addressed the issue: "If you think about the amount of fatigue that they have been accumulating in the season.
“A lot of players come into the starting eleven for the first time, it's not easy to compete here in these circumstances and I think the team showed we came here to play seriously, to get the three points and I'm so happy to see them performing like that.”