Orlando Pirates beat Chippa United 3-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to reach the Nedbank Cup final.
This meant that Pirates reached the Nedbank Cup final for a second consecutive season under coach Jose Riveiro.
The stage was set in Gqeberha, with the two sides playing in front of a sold out crowd. It would be Pirates who would lift the roof with a goal in just the fourth minute. A well taken left-footed free kick saw Kabelo Dlamini grant the visitors lift off. Still in the first half, Dlamini would complete his brace to hand the Buccaneers a commanding 2-0 lead at half time.
Chippa came back looking like a much more determined side in the second stanza, and eventually pulled on back. The hosts would threaten to make a game of the semifinal with Elmo Kambindu’s goal. Just when the Chilli Boys were pushing for an equaliser, they would concede at the other end. Tapelo Xoki would put the game beyond doubt as he slid in for a third goal.
Kopo accuses Riveiro of abusive language
With that goal Pirates earned themselves an opportunity to defend their Nedbank Cup crown. But Chippa co-coach Kwanele Kopo was far from impressed by his opposite number’s conduct during the game. He accused the Spaniard and his bench for using abusive language. Riveiro has since responded to those claims.
Pirates mentor responds
“I feel nothing happened there out of the limit of competition and the swearing came from every angle not only from our bench. Things that happen during the game when the emotions are high and the motivation [was] so high before the match and now the things are not going the way you wanted or the way you were dreaming yesterday when you went to sleep. And suddenly you find the reality which is different, it’s difficult to control yourself but I think the Orlando Pirates bench was behaving in a correct way, in a professional way and especially defending and protecting our players which is our obligation.” Said Riveiro as per FARPost.
Following the win against Chippa, Pirates will wait to see who they face in the Nedbank Cup final. The second semifinal is set to be between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
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