The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit gets ready to host the highly anticipated Nedbank Cup final on 1 June.
The announcement came shortly after the home side, TS Galaxy, was knocked out in the quarter-finals, leaving fans eager to witness the clash between the remaining teams.
In the first semi-final, Chippa United, who stunned the Rockets in the previous round, will face off against Orlando Pirates.
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Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns will visit Stellenbosch FC in the other semi-final. This setup has the potential to fulfill the dreams of both sponsors and supporters, as it could lead to a thrilling final between the Brazilians and Pirates.
TS Galaxy, who have been on an upward trajectory under the guidance of coach Sead Ramovic, suffered a double blow at Mbombela Stadium when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Despite losing some key players to teams with deeper pockets, Ramovic has led the side to mount a spirited fight in the league and even reached the final of the Carling Knockout Cup.
Their hopes of a home final were dashed when they faced Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals. The Rockets had a chance to continue their impressive campaign, but unfortunately, they lost 2-0 to a spirited United side. This defeat means that Chippa United will now have the honour of hosting Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Stellenbosch FC will have the privilege of hosting Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semi-final. This mouthwatering clash will pit the top two teams in the league against each other.
Both teams have enjoyed remarkable unbeaten streaks and have forgotten what it feels like to taste defeat. However, one of these impressive runs will come to an end when they face off at Danie Craven Stadium later this month.
Reflecting on TS Galaxy’s loss to Chippa United, it was a game filled with missed opportunities for the home side. The Rockets had chances to secure victory in front of their home crowd at Mbombela Stadium but failed to convert them into goals.
Moments after Samir Nurkovic’s brilliant bicycle kick rattled Chippa’s goal, Eva Nga powered the visitors in front at the stroke of the half-hour mark.
With five minutes remaining, Galaxy was given a lifeline when referee Kwinda Olani awarded them a penalty for a handball in the box by Chippa United’s Sirgio Kammies. Pogiso Sanoka stepped up confidently, hoping to take the game to extra time.
However, the Galaxy captain’s penalty was saved by the impressive Stanley Nwabali, the Nigerian goalkeeper who previously stunned Bafana Bafana in penalties during the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
As Galaxy mourned their missed opportunity, their disappointment deepened in the dying minutes of the match. Kwinda awarded Chippa United a penalty after Lebone Seema brought down Aviwe Mqokozo in the box.
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Roscoe Pietersen made no mistake, powering his shot past Fiacre Ntwari and securing a spot for the Chilli Boys in the semi-finals, where they will face the defending champions.
With the Nedbank Cup final fast approaching, football enthusiasts across the country eagerly await the thrilling matches that lie ahead. Mbombela Stadium is poised to provide the perfect backdrop for the final showdown, and fans can expect nothing less than an electrifying atmosphere as the teams battle it out for glory.
