Kaizer Chiefs end trophy drought to earn TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup place

South Africa’s most popular club Kaizer Chiefs returned to winning ways on Saturday, ending a 10-year trophy drought with success in South Africa’s cup competition, upsetting archrivals Orlando Pirates with a 2-1 triumph in the final at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Chiefs have now booked a spot in next season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup as one of South Africa’s two representatives

Skipper Yusuf Maart drilled home a dramatic 80th minute winner to send the majority of a capacity 55,000-strong crowd into delirious celebration.

Pirates, playing the 47th game of an exhausting campaign, had the better of the exchanges after conceding penalty in the 10th minute when Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Sirino put Chiefs into an early lead.

Pirates took only seven minute to equalise with Evidence Makgopa heading home a freekick from the Namibian wingback Deon Hotto.

The Buccaneers then controlled the game, looking to put behind them the heartbreak of losing their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League semi-final last month to Pyramids of Egypt.

But second half changes for Chiefs turned the game, especially after the introduction of their diminutive midfielder Mdu Shabalala, who had a hand in setting up the winner.

It was, however, a ball pulled back by fellow sub Ashley du Preez that fell sweetly for Maart on the edge of the box to rifle home on the full volley with his left foot.