Kermit Erasmus has not played for Orlando Pirates since December, but could write a personal tale of triumph in the Nedbank Cup final against his former side Mamelodi Sundowns when the teams meet at the Mbombela Stadium on June 1.
Erasmus has three Nedbank Cup final goals to his name, the only player two have managed that number in the decider of South Africa’s most prestigious knockout trophy since 2008.
Whether he will get the chance to add to that tally remains to be seen, but having made it clear there is no love lost with former side Sundowns, it would be a delicious prospect for him.
Erasmus is also, to date, the only player to score for two different clubs in a Nedbank Cup decider, netting for SuperSport United in their 2012 victory over Sundowns, before grabbing a brace for Pirates in their 3-1 success against BidVest Wits two years later.
He is not the only player looking to add to their final tally though – Pirates midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo netted the winner for TTM in the 2021 victory over Chippa United, but was then sent-off the following year as Marumo Gallants lost to Sundowns. He will also have revenge on his mind.
He could play for a fourth successive season in the Nedbank Cup decider, a rare feat indeed.
Tapelo Xoxi scored from the penalty-spot for Pirates as they beat Sekhukhune United last season, and already has three goals in the competition this term. He will be a threat from set-pieces.
Pirates forward Zakhele Lepasa got a famous goal for TS Galaxy in the 2019 final while on loan at the then second-tier side, helping the club to a 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in Durban. He could add to his tally too.
There are also a couple of players on the Sundowns side who could add to their final scoring exploits. Gaston Sirino got the winner for The Brazilians in the 2020 decider against Bloemfontein Celtic, while Peter Shalulile and Thapelo Morena netted against Marumo Gallants in 2022.
There have been 27 separate Nedbank Cup final goalscorers down the years, but only five of those have managed more than one strike, while there have also been two unfortunate own goals.
Aside from Erasmus’ three goals, there are four more strikers on two goals, though only one that is still active in the domestic game.
Sifiso Vilakazi, not to be confused with last season’s scorer for Sekhukhune, Sibusiso Vilakazi, netted a brace for Wits as they lifted the title in 2010, while a year later Thulasizwe Mbuyane scored twice for Orlando Pirates as they beat Black Leopards 3-1.
The other two are Jeremy Brockie and Bradley Grobler, both for SuperSport United in successive final wins over Pirates in 2016 and 2017. Grobler remains a Matsatsantsa player.
The two own goals, thankfully, did not result in defeats as former Pirates defender Rooi Mahamutsa put the ball into his own net in 2011, but his side still won 3-1 against Black Leopards, and Clayton Daniels did likewise in the colours of SuperSport against Pirates in 2016. Matsatsantsa claimed a 3-2 victory.
Among the other scorers, notable winners have come from Lerato Chabangu (Sundowns) in 2008 and Goodman Dlamini (Free State Stars) in 2018.
NEDBANK CUP FINAL GOALSCORERS (since 2008)
3 goals – Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United 1, Orlando Pirates 2)
2 – Jeremy Brockie (SuperSport United), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Orlando Pirates), Sifiso Vilakazi (BidVest Wits)
1 – Michael Boxall (SuperSport United), Lerato Chabangu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Isaac Chansa (Orlando Pirates), Vinicius Da Silva (Moroka Swallows), Sede Dion (Marumo Gallants), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates), Goodman Dlamini (Free State Stars), Zakhele Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Luvuyo Memela (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sifiso Myeni (Orlando Pirates), Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (TTM), Kingston Nkhatha (SuperSport United), Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs), Fabricio Rodrigues (BidVest Wits), Thabo September (SuperSport United), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gaston Sirino (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jabulani Shongwe (BidVest Wits), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Sekhukhune United), Tapelo Xoki (Orlando Pirates)
Own goals – Clayton Daniels (SuperSport United), Rooi Mahamutsa (Orlando Pirates).
SOURCED FROM THE NEDBANK CUP WEBSITE.
