Relentless Orlando Pirates book spot in third straight Nedbank Cup final

Pirates came out with intent and dominated from the first whistle. They owned the first half, bossing 66 percent of the possession and pinning Gallants deep in their half. Deano van Rooyen nearly made an early statement inside five minutes, forcing Washington Arubi into a smart save.

The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, and it was vintage Pirates. A slick through ball from van Rooyen split the Gallants defence wide open, allowing Patrick Maswanganyi to whip in a deadly low cross. Kabelo Dlamini was on hand to coolly slot it home - a move crafted with precision and finished with flair.

Gallants struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with their only real moment of hope coming just before halftime. Edgar Manaka took a speculative long-range effort, but Melusi Buthelezi was equal to it, keeping Pirates' lead intact.

Desperate to change the narrative, Gallants rang the changes after the break - and it paid off in terms of pressure, if not in goals. Pirates were forced onto the back foot, absorbing wave after wave of second-half intensity from the visitors.

Still, the Soweto giants had chances to kill off the game. Evidence Makgopa fired wide in the 69th minute when he should've hit the target, and Deon Hotto saw a late effort denied by the excellent Arubi in the 85th.

With three minutes of stoppage time added, Gallants pushed for a last-gasp equaliser, but Pirates held firm to secure a hard-earned victory.

Now, with another Ke Yona final on the horizon, the Buccaneers have a golden chance to write history - and claim the Nedbank Cup crown for the third time in a row.

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