PIC: Kermit Erasmus celebrates his goal against Kaizer Chiefs in the 2023 Nedbank Cup semifinals
Kermit Erasmus’ goal for Orlando Pirates in their 2-1 Nedbank Cup semifinal victory over Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2023 made him the only player to net three times in the last-4 of the competition since 2008.
Erasmus netted in the first half to help his side seal an extra-time victory, and go on to lift the trophy by beating Sekhukhune United in the final.
The 33-year-old striker has only scored one goal since then and has not featured for Pirates since December, so it is unlikely he will be able to add to his number when they face Chippa United in the semifinals this year.
Erasmus’ first Nedbank Cup semifinal goal came for SuperSport United against AmaZulu in 2012, before he netted again at this stage the following year for Matsatsantsa in their 3-2 success against Platinum Stars.
There are no less than 10 players who have scored twice in Nedbank Cup semifinals, including Erasmus’ Pirates teammate Sandile Mthethwa, who also netted against Chiefs in 2023.
His was a winner as he scored in extra-time to break the hearts of the AmaKhosi.
Mthethwa had also netted for Chippa United in their 1-0 victory over Pretoria Callies in the 2021 semifinals, before he later joined Pirates.
The defender is back in the first team frame at The Buccaneers now and may well get the chance to find the back of the net against his former club in this year’s semifinals.
Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa is another with two Nedbank Cup semifinal goals, though both of his came on loan at TS Galaxy as they defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-1 to reach the 2019 final, where the second-tier side stunned Kaizer Chiefs in the decider.
Now in the colours of Chippa, Luvuyo Memela netted two semifinal goals for Pirates and could add a third against his former side this year.
He scored twice for The Buccaneers in a 4-2 semifinal win over Free State Stars in 2016, though Pirates would go on to lose the final to SuperSport United.
Bloemfontein Celtic’s Victor Letsoalo netted twice in the 3-0 victory over his former team Baroka FC that saw his side into their first Nedbank Cup final in 2020, while retired Mark Haskins netted a semifinal brace for BidVest Wits against Free State Stars as they lifted the trophy in 2010.
Harris Tchilimbou (Free State Stars), Thobani Mncwango (Baroka FC), Thuso Phala and Sibusiso Zuma (both SuperSport United) are others who have managed two goals in the semis.
In all, 70 players have scored in the semifinals, at the right end at least, with a further two own goals by the unfortunate Mario Booysen (Maritzburg United) and Lucky Mohomi (Free State Stars).
NEDBANK CUP SEMIFINAL GOALSCORERS
3 goals – Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United/Orlando Pirates)
2 – Terrence Dzvukamanja (BidVest Wits), Mark Haskins (Bidvest Wits), Luvoyo Memela (Orlando Pirates), Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Victor Letsoalo (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thobani Mncwango (Baroka FC), Sandile Mthethwa (Chippa United/Orlando Pirates), Thuso Phala (SuperSport United), Harris Tchilimbou (Free State Stars), Sibusiso Zuma (SuperSport United)
1 – Igor Alves (Moroka Swallows), Andriamirado Andrianarimanana (Kaizer Chiefs), Marawaan Bantam (Bidvest Wits), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Sandile Gumede (AmaZulu), Richard Henyekane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nhlanhla Kubheka (Ajax Cape Town), Mxolisi Kunene (Maritzburg United), Lyle Lakay (Mamelodi Sundowns), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs), Mosa Lebusa (Ajax Cape Town), Yusuf Maart (Kaizer Chiefs), Ndumiso Mabena (Bloemfontein Celtic), Lebohang Maboe (Maritzburg United), Fortune Makaringe (Maritzburg United), Lehlohonolo Majoro (Kaizer Chiefs), Keletso Makgalwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), George Maluleka (Kaizer Chiefs), Jabulani Maluleke (Black Leopards), Terrence Mandaza (Maritzburg United), Lerato Manzini (Chippa United), Walter Maponyane (United FC), Thabo Matlaba (Royal AM), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Andile Mbenyane (Chippa United), Abbubaker Mobara (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Manti Moholo (University of Pretoria), Lucky Mohomi (Free State Stars), Lebohang Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tashreeq Morris (Ajax Cape Town), Luvo Mpeta (TTM), Katlego Mphela (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabani Mthembu (Platinum Stars), Clifford Mulenga (SuperSport United), Kabamba Musasa (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Nyasha Mushekwi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Ricardo Nascimento (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Ngcepe (Moroka Swallows), Sthembiso Ngcobo (BidVest Wits), Kingston Nkhatha (Free State Stars), Thabiso Nkoana (SuperSport United), Ayanda Nkosi (Free State Stars), Esrom Nyandoro (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Rodney Ramagalela (Black Leopards), Pavel Safranko (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tlou Segolela (Orlando Pirates), Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tintswalo Tshabalala (Platinum Stars), Sibusiso Vilakazi (BidVest Wits), Vincent Xakane (Black Leopards), Mthokozisi Yende (University of Pretoria), Sandile Zuke (TS Galaxy), Dumisani Zuma (Kaizer Chiefs)
Own goals – Mario Booysen (Maritzburg United), Lucky Mohomi (Free State Stars)
SOURCED FROM THE NEDBANK CUP WEBSITE.
