Nine finals in a row! The Kaizer Chiefs cup record that may never be broken

Kaizer Chiefs hold a remarkable South African cup record that could remain untouched for generations, having reached nine consecutive domestic cup finals between 1974 and 1977.

The Amakhosi’s extraordinary run began with the Top Eight Cup final in December 1974 and ended with the 1977 Champion of Champions. During that period, Chiefs appeared in nine successive finals, winning five and losing four.

One of those defeats was particularly chaotic. The match against Orlando Pirates was abandoned after Chiefs supporters rioted when their team fell behind, bringing an ugly end to an otherwise astonishing period of dominance.

Chiefs’ run eventually came to an end in the 1977 Mainstay Cup when Wits eliminated them before the semi-final stage.

The achievement is even more remarkable when viewed against the modern South African football calendar. Reaching nine consecutive domestic cup finals today would effectively mean making the finals of competitions such as the MTN8, Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup across three successive seasons — a feat that appears almost impossible in the current game.

Pirates come closest with four MTN8 finals

Orlando Pirates currently have a modern benchmark of their own, having reached four consecutive MTN8 finals. However, that sequence still falls well short of Chiefs’ historic nine-final streak.

The Buccaneers also enjoyed a formidable run in the 1970s, reaching six successive cup finals between 1973 and 1975.

Their sequence began with victory in the 1973 Life Challenge Cup before they added the 1974 Top Eight Cup and Champion of Champions titles. They also successfully defended their Life Challenge Cup crown later that year.

Pirates continued their remarkable run in 1975 by reaching the Top Eight Cup and Champion of Champions finals. Chiefs, however, defeated them in both matches to bring the Buccaneers’ sequence to an end.

Pirates’ PSL-era run ended by Chiefs

Pirates later produced another impressive stretch during the Premier Soccer League era, reaching five successive finals across 2013 and 2014.

However, they won just one of those showpieces.

They lost the 2013 MTN8 final to Platinum Stars on penalties before suffering defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly over two legs in the CAF Champions League final. Less than a month later, Stars defeated them again in the Telkom Knockout final.

Pirates eventually lifted the 2014 Nedbank Cup, but their run of consecutive finals ended after Chiefs beat them in the MTN8 final at the start of the following season.

While Pirates continue to chase their own place in South African cup history, Chiefs’ nine-final sequence remains the benchmark — and one that may never be matched.