Breaking The Trophy Droughts

Magic has been in the air this year, giving us fairytale stories across football’s landscape. League champions around the world have largely followed the script, but knockout competitions have spat out a list of unexpected winners. From underdogs few would consider to sleeping giants awakening, here is a list of the shock champions with the length of their trophy drought in brackets, writes Mark Lemke.

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“We have been rewarded with something great” – Maart
Celebration the victory is Yusuf Maart, Captain of Kaizer Chiefs FC during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 May 2025 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

“We have been rewarded with something great” – Maart

Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has opened up on his time at the club after leading the team to glory in the Nedbank Cup.

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“We want to build more consistency going forward” – Maart
Yusuf Maart, Captain of Kaizer Chiefs FC during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 May 2025 © Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix

“We want to build more consistency going forward” – Maart

Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart wants his side to build on their consistency after ending their decade-long trophy drought.

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Chiefs lift Nedbank Cup to end trophy drought
Kaizer Chiefs are the Champions during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 May 2025 © Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

Chiefs lift Nedbank Cup to end trophy drought

Kaizer Chiefs ended their decade-long trophy drought after defeating arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

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“We win together, we lose together” – Miguel Cardoso
Miguel Cardoso, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Semi Final Mamelodi Sundowns Press conference at Nedbank offices in Johannesburg on 10 April 2025 © Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

“We win together, we lose together” – Miguel Cardoso

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his side must move on after their semi-final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup.

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“We had to prove we deserve to be in the final” – Nasreddine Nabi
Nasreddine Nabi, coach of Kaizer Chiefs talking to Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Semifinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on the 13 April 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

“We had to prove we deserve to be in the final” – Nasreddine Nabi

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed what he told his squad at half-time, which sparked their comeback against Mamelodi Sundowns.

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Chiefs, Pirates setup Soweto derby Nedbank Cup final
Deano David van Rooyen of Orlando Pirates challenged by Mduduzi Shabalala of Kaizer Chiefs during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 01 February 2025 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Chiefs, Pirates setup Soweto derby Nedbank Cup final

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are set to square off in the Nedbank Cup final after winning their respective semi-final clashes on Sunday.

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WATCH: Nabi gives insight ahead of Sundowns clash
Nasreddine Nabi, head coach of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Semi Final Kaizer Chiefs Press conference at Nedbank offices in Johannesburg on 10 April 2025 © Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

WATCH: Nabi gives insight ahead of Sundowns clash

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has given his insight ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.

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WATCH: Cardoso shares his thoughts ahead of Chiefs tie
Miguel Cardoso, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2025 Nedbank Cup Semi Final Mamelodi Sundowns Press conference at Nedbank offices in Johannesburg on 10 April 2025 © Alche Greeff/BackpagePix

WATCH: Cardoso shares his thoughts ahead of Chiefs tie

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has shared his thoughts ahead of his side's clash against Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup.

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“It’s time to show what they’re capable of” – Collins Mbesuma on Chiefs
Thabo Nthethe of Bloemfontein Celtic Legends challenged by Collins Mbesuma of Kaizer Chiefs Legends during 2024 Toyota Cup Curtain Raisermatch between Kaizer Chiefs Legends and Bloemfontein Celtic Legends on the 28 July 2024 at TOYOTA Stadium in Bloemfontein © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

“It’s time to show what they’re capable of” – Collins Mbesuma on Chiefs

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Collins Mbesuma is confident that Amakhosi have the talent to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.

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