Orlando Pirates fans licking their wounds

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Many Orlando Pirates fans believe their team lost the Nedbank Cup when Makhehlene Makhaula was substituted late in the second half.

With the score tied at 1-1, Jose Riveiro substituted Mohau Nkota for Makhaula in the 72nd minute. On the other hand, Kaizer Chiefs made their own changes, replacing Thabo Cele and Gaston Sirino with Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley Du Preez.

Makhaula’s sub was a game changer as Orlando Pirates suffered

The Chiefs’ substitutions turned the game around, with Yusuf Maart scoring the winning goal a few minutes later. In contrast, the changes made by the Buccaneers failed to have any impact, and they looked unlikely to score after conceding.

This defeat marks the end of Kaizer Chiefs’ trophy drought, which lasted for 10 years. For the Pirates, it was a season that promised much but ultimately delivered little. After the game, many fans felt that Orlando Pirates had let the Chiefs off the hook by substituting Makhaula, which created a significant void in the midfield.

@AllNewsNetwork2 wrote: “The same mistake that cost us the game in Cairo is the same mistake that costed us the game today. When you take out Makhaula or Mbatha, make sure you replace them with someone who can attack and defend. Dlamini can’t do that.”

Makhaula has been one of the best Orlando Pirates players this season

@MashabaZikara wrote: “Replacing Makhaula was a bad idea.”

“Maswanganyi was supposed to be subbed off for Dlamini. Makhaula was supposed to be subbed off for someone like Mosele, who will assist in defending the ball. The Nkota sub was okay, the boy us too selfish, 2 goals would’ve gone in if he passed,” tweeted @Doobsie_Dons.