Glory for Orlando Pirates as injury-time winner seals Nedbank Cup victory

While it marks the ninth time the Buccaneers have lifted the trophy, it is the first time they have done so since 2014, making the victory that much sweeter for Jose Riveiro and his men.

For Sekhukhune, it was a match that ended in bitter disappointment, although they can be proud of their performance in the final.

Pirates were boosted by the return of Thembinkosi Lorch, who had missed their last four games through injury, while Sekhukhune opted to start their experienced campaigner Sibusiso Vilakazi, who won many titles during his time with Sundowns.

And it was the former Brazilians star who left the Pirates players stunned when he handed Sekhukhune the lead after just 12 minutes following a bright start for the men from Limpopo.

Nigerian forward Chibuike Ohizu started the trouble when he forced the Pirates defence into a hasty clearance that fell kindly for Vilakazi, who stroked it home to put Babina Noko in the lead.

Just a minute later, Pirates had an opportunity to equalize as Kermit Erasmus unleashed a first-time shot following an inswinging cross from Monnapule Saleng that flashed wide.

Pirates should have equalised on 22 minutes but a goal somehow eluded them amid a mad scramble from the Sekhukhune defenders in the box. Erasmus drilled a loose ball that cannoned back off the crossbar before a follow-up shot from Lorch was saved as well.

But Pirates continued to mount attacks before the break and were rewarded in injury time when Victor Letsoalo was penalized for handling in the area. Tapelo Xoki stepped up to take the penalty and confidently sent Badra Ali Sangare the wrong way, giving the Buccaneers and their fans a massive boost before half-time.

The Bucs started the second strongly and had a few early chances to take the lead, most notably when Erasmus headed over the bar following a cross from Saleng.

But Sekhukhune also enjoyed moments of pressure and were frequently making life tough for their opponents, with Elias Mokwana in particular causing Pirates plenty of problems.

The second half proved far shorter on goal-scoring opportunities than the first, however, and with full-time approaching, both teams started to look a bit scrappy, with the referee's whistle frequently forced to intervene.

The match seemed destined for extra time and possibly even penalties before a moment of class right at the death saw Pirates snatch the lead.

With just seconds to go before the final whistle, in the sixth minute of injury time, Kabelo Dlamini fed Saleng with a perfect pass before the winger sent it back across the goal where Dzvukamanja was waiting to volley it home from close range.

It was a fantastic bit of quality from Pirates to bring the match to a close and made them deserved winners over Sekhukhune in the end.