Soccer Laduma

Pirates’ cup final jinx to follow them?

Over the last 10 years, the Buccaneers have played in 11 knockout competitio­ns finals and have only managed to win two of them. Interestin­gly, it was foreign coaches at the helm when they won those two trophies. Good omen? Here’s how Pirates’ record in kn

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2013 CAF Champions League

The Soweto giants qualified for the biggest African club competitio­n’s final in 2013 under then coach Roger de Sa and came up against the best on the continent in Al Ahly, who showed their

experience by securing an away goal in a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium in the first leg. The Egyptians wrapped it up in the second leg with a 2-0 win.

Result: Loss

2013 MTN8

Platinum Stars inflicted pain on Pirates in the final of the eight-team tournament, beating them on penalties after the game finished 1-1 in 120 minutes. Dikwena won it 3-1 on penalties, with Siyabonga Mpontshane fantastic between the sticks.

Result: Loss

2013 Telkom Knockout

Dikwena did it again a few months later, this time in the Telkom Knockout, as they upset

the Houghton-based side yet inside 90 minutes this time round, winning it 2-1 thanks to a spectacula­r winner by Mogakolodi Ngele. Again, it was Mpontshane in goals.

Result: Loss

2014 Nedbank Cup

Led by Vladimir Vermezovic, Bucs redeemed themselves by

winning the Nedbank Cup, coming from a goal down to beat the now-defunct Bidvest Wits 3-1. Kermit Erasmus bagged a brace, while Sifiso Myeni also got on the scoresheet for the Soweto giants.

Result: Win

2015 CAF Confederat­ion Cup

After their Champions League defeat in 2013, Ezimnyama Ngenkani were determined to get their hands on a continenta­l trophy, this time led by Eric Tinkler. They, however, fell short again, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Tunisian outfit Etoile du Sahel.

Result: Loss

2014 MTN8

Nothing hurts Pirates more

Chiefs, and vice versa. Imagine a cup final defeat. Amakhosi beat the Buccaneers 1-0 in this final, courtesy of a Tefu Mashamaite header. Brilliant Khuzwayo had a notable performanc­e in the Chiefs goalposts, denying Thamsanqa Gabuza & Co. in oneon-one situations on numerous occasions.

Result: Loss

2016 Nedbank Cup

Another cup final upset. Pirates fell 3-2 to Stuart Baxter’s SuperSport United side at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Result: Loss

2017 Nedbank Cup

SuperSport were again responsibl­e for Bucs’ cup final tears and this time they rubbed salt to the wound with a 4-1 drubbing, as Soweto giants lost a fourth straight final. Oupa Manyisa scored the consolatio­n goal.

Result: Loss

2018 Telkom Knockout

A cracking final which prohad to be decided on penalties. Pirates again endured pain in a penalty shootout, with Thembinkos­i Lorch missing the final spot kick to hand Baroka FC a 3-2victory.

Result: Loss

2020 MTN8

After a few years of cup final upsets, Pirates finally tasted glory in 2020, with Josef Zinnbauer at the helm. They came back from a goal down to win 2-1, thanks to goals from Deon Hotto and Lorch from the penalty spot.

Result: Win

2022 CAF Confederat­ion Cup

After playing out to a 1-1 draw with Morocco’s RS Berkane, the clash had to be decided on penalties. Not for the first time, it ended in Pirates heartache as they lost out 5-4, as Lorch failed to convert his spot kick. It was a game they had no business losing as Bucs were the better side over the 120 minutes.

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