As they prepare to lock horns for the second time in less than a month, after their Absa Premiership meeting ended in Pirates’ favour, snl24.com/kickoff takes you down memory lane by looking back at cup competition heroes from both sides in the PSL era. We start with Rowen Fernandez, a man who will be remembered for his fantastic performance in the Absa Cup final played in Durban 12 years ago.
Hero: Rowen Fernandez
Twelve years ago Rowen Fernandez produced one of the finest performances you’ll ever see from a goalkeeper in a knockout competition final. It was the first cup final between the Soweto giants since 1988 and boy did it produce the type of action you’d expect to see in a game considered as the biggest in South African football. Fernandez pulled off some good saves during the match as the sides finished goalless at the end of 120 minutes. Both teams had players sent off - Tonic Chabalala on the Pirates side and Ditheko Mototo on the opposite side.
The former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper pulled off a save during the penalty shootout and Amakhosi trusted him enough to take the final spot kick and he slotted it home past Francis Chansa with a powerful left-footed shot.