Ubuntu Cape Town target another top-flight scalp

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Mar 30, 2018. 08:22

Ubuntu Cape Town will look to claim another top-flight scalp in the Nedbank Cup when they host Free State Stars at Athlone Stadium on 31 March 2018, kick-off at 15h30.

Ubuntu have thus far ousted PSL sides Polokwane City and AmaZulu, beating both teams 3-2 in the last 32 and last 16 respectively. Ranga Chivaviro (2), Siyambonga Madikane, Clint Fredericks, Duncan Adonis and Kamohelo Mahlatsi have netted in the two wins over higher-league opposition.

This is the Cape Town side’s first participation in the Nedbank Cup since their formation in 2017. However, their predecessors, FC Cape Town, had some notable success in the competition in years gone by, most notably in 2010 when they eliminated Kaizer Chiefs en-route to the quarterfinals.

Ubuntu come into the game having suffered a 3-1 loss away to Jomo Cosmos in a league clash on March 18. The result left the Cape side second from bottom on the National First Division log and very much in a fight for their second-tier survival.

Stars claimed their quarterfinal berth with wins over regional rivals Super Eagles (2-1 away, after extra time) and fellow PSL side Chippa United (2-1 at home). Rooi Mahamutsa, Mohammed Anas, Paulus Masehe and Bangali Keita have netted for them in the cup thus far.

Ea Lla Koto have never won the Nedbank Cup, though they were runners-up in the 1994 final (as QwaQwa Stars). Last season they exited the competition in the last 16 round as they were beaten 4-1 at home by Orlando Pirates.

Stars come into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss away to Chippa in a league clash on March 17. The result broke a seven-match unbeaten run for the Free State side.

In head-to-head stats, this will be the first competitive meeting of Ubuntu Cape Town and Free State Stars.