The Nedbank Cup kicked off in earnest this week as 32 teams battled it out for places in the next round, and 11 teams including Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are already into the last 16.
For many teams, this is the start of the dream of potential silverware, especially with Sundowns looking like they are set to run away with the DStv Premiership title.
But of course, Sundowns are also the defending champions of the Nedbank Cup having made a clean sweep of domestic silverware in 2021/2022, and South Africa’s number-one club are likely to be pushing to defend their title, especially after failing to retain the MTN8 trophy earlier this season.
The round of 32 is where the 16 DStv Premiership clubs entered the competition.
They were joined by eight teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and eight teams from SAFA’s regional amateur competitions. The 16 MFC sides played one preliminary round to book their places, while most of the SAFA teams have played about five prelim games to reach this stage.
Eleven teams have now booked their places in the last sixteen, seven of those are DStv Premiership outfits. The only real upset so far has been former winners SuperSport United’s exit at the hand of ABC Motsepe outfit Dondol Stars.
The Results So Far:
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Richards Bay (7 February, Loftus Stadium)
The defending champions started their cup defence at home at Loftus Stadium against Richards Bay, and while they got through the tie, it wasn’t always comfortable. Now, there’s no doubt that Sundowns go into every game wanting to win, but with both the league and CAF Champions League to focus on, it was another opportunity for Rulani Mokwena to rotate his squad. While most Premiership clubs have depth, no club has the quality in depth that the Brazilians have. While it was an opportunity for a few faces we’ve hardly seen this season, it was one of the more familiar ones who grabbed the headlines as the DStv Premiership leading goalscorer Peter Shalulile grabbed a brace to go top of the scoring charts in this competition too.
Marumo Gallants 3-1 Magesi FC (7 February, Royal Bafokeng Stadium)
Arguably the most successful team in the Nedbank Cup over the past two seasons Marumo Gallants started their cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Magesi. Gallants won the trophy two seasons ago (under their old Tshakhuma moniker) and last year they finished runners-up to Sundowns. Can they go on another excellent cup run? Having raced into a three-nil lead at halftime thanks to two goals in stoppage time, Gallants, who now turn their focus to the CAF Confederation Cup, will be pleased with the result, and continuing their Nedbank legacy. While Clinton Larsen’s team pulled a goal back in the second half, it proved to only be a consolation strike.
Sekhukhune United 6-0 Liver Brothers (8 February, Peter Mokaba Stadium)
– Advertisement –
If any game in the round of 32 was David versus Goliath, this was the fixture. Sekhukhune may be a relatively new DStv Premiership outfit, but they were giants in comparison to SAB League side Liver Brothers from Mpumalanga. While all the other seven SAFA sides in the last 32 come from the provincial ABC Motsepe Leagues, Liver Brothers are from the fourth tier, playing in the Ehlanzeni regional competition. Brandon Truter’s team showed that difference in quality, and ran out 6-0 victors, with their job made easier in the second half when Liver Brothers were reduced to ten men.
SuperSport United 1-2 Dondol Stars FC (8 February, Lucas Moripe Stadium)
The first shock of the David and Goliath clashes saw Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport lose 2-1 to Tshwane neighbours Dondol Stars, who are currently top of the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League. Gavin Hunt made a number of changes for this game, including surprisingly selecting Thamsanqa Gabuza at centre-back. When SuperSport took an early lead, it looked like things were going on course, but it all came derailed as Dondol equalised, then took the lead in the second half before holding on for the first real shock of the tournament.
Cape Town Spurs 3-0 Baroka (10 February, Athlone Stadium)
Athlone Stadium hosted this battle between two former top-flight sides, who have also both got decent cup pedigrees. Baroka were only relegated from the DStv Premiership last season, and recently made a coaching change with former TUT coach Bushy Moloi replacing Vincent Kobola. Spurs on other hand, are now within touching distance of challenging for the top of the league. Both teams made a number of changes to the teams that have been playing regularly in the league, and it was Spurs who prevailed thanks to three unanswered second-half goals. Therlo Moosa gave Shaun Bartlett’s the team the lead, before late goals from Chumani Butsaka and Colin Ryan sealed their progression into the last 16.
Maritzburg United 0-2 AET Kaizer Chiefs (10 February, Harry Gwala Stadium)
There may be no team under more pressure to be successful in this Nedbank Cup than Kaizer Chiefs. While that pressure may not be being applied by those in the club’s structures, the Amakhosi fans are desperate for their team to end the club’s trophy drought. A good run in the cup could alleviate a lot of that, and also put Arthur Zwane’s team in good stead for next season. It was tough going on Friday night, and despite Maritzburg losing Travis Graham to a red card after 38 minutes, Chiefs weren’t able to take advantage in the 90 minutes. But only two minutes into extra time, new signing Christian Saile found himself in the right place at the right time to tap in after King Ndlovu was unable to gather a ball. And with seven minutes remaining, Ashley Du Preez made no mistake as he side-footed Happy Mashiane’s cross in to add the second.
Stellenbosch 3-0 Swallows (11 February, Athlone Stadium)
Stellenbosch will be on a high after back-to-back league wins, including their impressive comeback victory in the Cape Derby two weeks ago and that confidence was key in the 3-0 victory over Swallows. This time around they played at Athlone Stadium, rather than at their home base of the Danie Craven Stadium, and despite the club being rocked by the sad passing of young Oshwin Andries, they were just too strong for their opponents. Iqraam Rayners continued his goal-scoring return to the club, grabbing a brace, with Vusi Sibiya getting the opener.
Golden Arrows 2-1 AET Pretoria Callies (11 February, Princess Magogo Stadium)
On paper, this encounter obviously favoured Arrows. After all, they’re the top-flight team, and Callies are in the bottom half of the Motsepe Foundation Championship. But it’s actually Callies who have the better record in the Nedbank Cup in recent years and were surprise semi-finalists back in 2021. Kwanele Kopo’s team took a surprise lead through Siyabonga Dubula, but Arrows found the equaliser in regulation time through an own goal, before Knox Mutizwa grabbed the winner in extra time.
FC Black Cross 1-2 Venda Football Academy (11 February, Dr Molemela Stadium)
Big-time football has been scarce in the Free State in recent times, although that may be about to change with Tshakhuma’s relocation to the province. But two years ago we saw the end of Bloemfontein Celtic as Royal AM bought their franchise, and last year Casric bought Free State Stars, but this fixture will be the only Nedbank game in the Free State, after VFA’s 2-1 win, thanks to a brace from Rhulani Manzini.
Mpheni Home Defenders 3-0 Clarewood JPM (11 February, Thohoyandou Stadium)
There will be at least one SAFA-leagues team in the last sixteen after two ABC Motsepe outfits after Mpheni Home Defenders from Limpopo, beat ‘Clarewood’ from the Western Cape 3-0. Sydwell Phuravhathu’s Limpopo side are currently leading their ABC Motsepe regional log and with home advantage at the Thohoyandou Stadium in their favour, they made light work of Dylan Deane’s Cape team. The goals were scored by Bonginkosi Makanya, Nkateko Shilenge and Nkosephayo Mavundla.
All Stars FC 0-2 Orlando Pirates (11 February, Bidvest Stadium)
With the MTN8 trophy already in their cabinet this season, Pirates will no doubt be keen to add a second piece of silverware. They would have been pleased to not have to travel, with the game scheduled at familiar territory in the Bidvest Stadium. Sinethemba Badela’s team have had a decent season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship so far and are still amongst the promotion hopefuls, and the opening half was a tough battle, especially with the dreary weather conditions. But Pirates breakout star of the season, Monnapule Saleng, finally opened the scoring, before a returning hero in Thembinkosi Lorch marked his first appearance in four months on the field with a goal too. Unfortunately, Jose Riveiro found himself red-carded shortly after Saleng’s opener, and the incident will have marred the result for the team.
STILL TO BE PLAYED:
TS Galaxy vs Amavarara FC
(12 February, Bidvest Stadium)
TS Galaxy (albeit with their former second-tier franchise) are former champions of this competition and start as clear favourites against their opponents from the Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe league. Amavarara are no strangers to this stage of the competition, and three years ago they actually went one stage further, reaching the last 16. But that accomplishment is unlikely to be repeated against Sead Ramovic’s team, which has the second-best defence in the DStv Premiership this season
AmaZulu vs Tornado FC
(12 February, King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium)
AmaZulu have another good opportunity to get silverware for the first time in the Zungu-era, after missing out on the trophy in the MTN8 final earlier this season. It should be a walk in the park against their opponents, Tornado FC, who it should be noted are not the same Tornado who featured in the 2019 edition of the Nedbank Cup. There have been a few Tornado FCs all across South Africa, and this one, known as ‘Die Wind’, is a club from Upington in the Northern Cape, who have been playing in the ABC Motsepe League for a number of years now.
Mkhambathi FC vs Casric Stars
(12 February, Harry Gwala Stadium)
Casric are doing very well in the first-ever campaign in the professional ranks and are amongst the promotion hopefuls in the Motsepe Foundation Championship currently. Their opponents did well to qualify for the cup, but are currently only fourth in their stream in the KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe League. Mkhambathi will have the home advantage, and the unknown factor, but if Casric continue to play as they have been in the Championship, they should progress to the next round.
Cape Town City vs Royal AM
(12 February, Cape Town Stadium)
The Nedbank Cup is a fantastic opportunity for City and Royal AM. Both clubs will be disappointed overall by their season so far, especially after their excellent league campaigns in 2021/2022. This tournament could be an opportunity for one of these two to challenge for something, so it will be interesting to see how they approach this game. This is the one tournament that City haven’t had relative success in, with last season’s league runners-up having won both the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout in their seven-year history. While Royal AM haven’t won any silverware, there are a few players in their setup from the old Bloemfontein Celtic team. Not that long ago, John Maduka and Celtic reached two successive cup finals (Nedbank and MTN8) but unfortunately, they finished runners-up both times.
Polokwane City vs Chippa United
(14 February, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium)
Polokwane and Chippa are no strangers to each other and have met 16 times in their history. But while Chippa are now the top-flight side, it is actually Rise and Shine who have dominated their head-to-head history, with six wins to just three by Chippa. The two clubs first met back in 2011 in the second tier, but most of the other matches occurred when they were both top-flight sides. This is actually their third meeting in the Nedbank Cup – back in 2011, it was Polokwane who were victorious, but six years ago it was Chippa with the win.
*An earlier version of this feature, brought to you by DStv, first appeared in iDiski Times, Edition 90, available now at Shoprite.