Yusuf Maart - 10 May 2025 (Nedbank Cup final)

The most recent hero of a Soweto Derby cup final is former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart, whose decisive winner helped Amakhosi lift the Nedbank Cup last year.

Gaston Sirino and Evidence Makgopa scored for their respective sides early in the game, setting up a tense battle over the next 60 minutes. The tension was finally broken in the 80th minute when Maart scored his first goal of the tournament to secure the silverware for Chiefs.

Sandile Mthethwa - 6 May 2023 (Nedbank Cup semi-finals)

At the business end of the 2022/23 season, the two Soweto giants squared off in the semi-final stage of the Nedbank Cup, with Chiefs hoping to end their trophy drought.

It was a tightly-contested match which was forced into extra time, but instead of Chiefs booking their place in the final, and an opportunity to clinch some silverware, it was Pirates who came out on top thanks to defender Sandile Mthethwa.

The centre-back came off the bench in the 83rd minute and produced the decisive blow in extra time as he headed home in the 113th minute to secure victory for Bucs.

Bernard Parker - 2 November 2019 (Carling Knockout quarter-final)

In another tournament clash between the two heavyweights, Bernard Parker kept a cool head to help Chiefs to victory in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals back in 2019.

This was another close game which finished 2-2 after extra time. Gabadinho Mhango equalised for Pirates in extra time to ensure a tense penalty shootout, but it was Chiefs forward Parker who had the last laugh as he secured victory with a well-taken spot-kick securing a 6-4 victory.

Luvuyo Memela - 3 March 2018 (PSL)

Turning our attention to a league fixture, Orlando Pirates pulled off a strong performance against the Glamour Boys in March of 2018, which put them only four points off table leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

On that day it was Luvuyo Memela who proved to be the most influential attacking player at FNB Stadium.

The super-sub came on at the break and wasted little time as he immediately put Pirates ahead 2-1, before putting the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute as he completed his impressive brace.

Tefu Mashamaite - 20 September 2014 (MTN8 final)

In 2014, Kaizer Chiefs claimed the MTN8 trophy by beating their Soweto rivals in a battle of attrition at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Amakhosi goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo made some impressive saves throughout the game to keep Pirates out, and the match-winning goal came from defender Tefu Mashamaite, who headed home in the first half of the 1-0 victory to lead his side to the silverware.

Oupa Manyisa - 10 September 2011 (MTN8 final)

Three years earlier, it was Pirates who lifted the MTN8 trophy with a win in the final against Amakhosi.

Neither team gave much away in this encounter as the scoreline stayed at 0-0 after 90 minutes. Extra time once again provided excitement as midfielder Oupa Manyisa found the back of the net with a long-range finish in the 107th minute, sending The Ghost into rapturous celebrations.

Innocent Maela backs Orlando Pirates' readiness to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title