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The only way Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United can salvage their troubled season is to win the Nedbank Cup.
The side that succeeds in bagging the trophy and the R7 million prize money will take part in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.
With Mamelodi Sundowns winning the league, the Nedbank Cup takes precedence for both sides as they try to salvage some silverware from their disappointing season.
After yesterday’s “final” between the two teams, they will meet again in their second final on Saturday, which will see the traditional season’s ending to the South African domestic season at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Kickoff is at 3pm.
After a rather disappointing season, in which both sides were struggling to make even the top eight, they have a chance of finishing on a high note. They were to battle it out against one another yesterday for a spot in the top eight.
A victory for Pirates’ Eric Tinkler would erase all the memories of the kind of season they have had.
With Tinkler facing the most intense level criticism during his one-and-a-half-year tenure at Pirates, a win would bring him his first trophy and the Buccaneers’ first silverware since 2014 and might also save his job.
All those calls for his sacking would be erased by an outcry for his stay – only if he wins the cup.
And for Stuart Baxter, it would continue with his trend of winning trophies in the PSL. He won four in the three seasons he spent at Kaizer Chiefs.
A failure to win any silverware would be regarded as a loss for a club of United’s standing and expenditure.
They were busy at the beginning of the season but have nothing to show for it.
Although the arrival of Baxter in January has given them a new lease of life as they are about to finish the season with a trophy, they were still far from their best this season.
The Scot has overseen a notable improvement in the league and in the cup since the sacking of Gordon Igesund, and United’s march to the final showpiece is vindication for the club bosses.
Prediction
Just like any other final, it will go down to the wire. Taking chances will be key, even more so in a final.
Pirates’ chances will rest on their defence rising to the occasion, especially the likes of Thabo Matlaba and Ayanda Gcaba in aerial battles, and their strike force of Tendai Ndoro and Thamsanqa Gabuza (if he plays) stepping up.
Mpho Makola and Luvuyo Memela will have to come to the party to supply their strikers.
United will rely on their discipline and structure to counter the pace of Pirates. Their key to success has been the ability to finish their counter-attacks and convert their chances. Being clinical in front of goals will win them the game, particularly if they can give Jeremy Brockie and Thuso Phala good services. The likes of Dean Furman and Michael Morton will have to be effective in the middle of the park and stop Pirates’ attacks from there.
An early goal will make for an exciting game, however.
