‘Downs, Wits set for heavyweight tussle

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Aug 07, 2020. 11:00

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits will meet in a heavyweight clash in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup, as they cross swords at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday 8 August 2020, kick-off at 19:00 CAT.

Sundowns’ spot in the semis has been earned by victories over SuperSport United (1-0), VUT Students (2-0) and Highlands Park (1-0, after extra time) – the latter victory over the Lions of the North was their last competitive match, played on March 14.

Wits, meanwhile, have ousted Orlando Pirates (3-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw), Chippa United (2-0) and Real Kings (4-0) to power into the final four. Their quarterfinal clash against Kings on March 13 was their last competitive outing.

The Clever Boys will view this Nedbank Cup as a last chance to win silverware for the historic club, as Wits recently sold their top-flight status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and will be no more once the 2019-20 season is finished – the new club will be renamed and relocated to the Limpopo province.

In head-to-head terms, Sundowns and Wits have met in 11 previous cup matches. The Brazilians have dominated in knockout ties (eight wins to two) but the Clever Boys romped to a 3-0 triumph when the teams last met in a cup game, the final of the 2016 MTN8.

Overall, ‘Downs have claimed 44 wins to Wits’ 19 in 80 matches across all competitions since 1985. The teams are very evenly-matched if their recent meetings are anything to go by: their last four league clashes against each other have all ended in draws, culminating in a goalless stalemate at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in January.

The winner of this match will meet either Baroka FC or Bloemfontein Celtic in the final.

Mamelodi Sundowns v Bidvest Wits – Head-to-head

All cup results

Season Cup Result Scorers

1990 BP Top 8, final, 1st leg Sundowns 2-0 Wits Chafunya, Moosa

1990 BP Top 8, final, 2nd leg Wits 0-3 Sundowns B. Masinga 2, Chitja

1990 JPS KO, semi, 1st leg Sundowns 0-0 Wits

1990 JPS KO, semi, 2nd leg Wits 1-2 Sundowns Gordon; Moosa, B. Masinga

1994 Coca-Cola, 1st round Sundowns 3-1 Wits B. Masinga, Moosa, Mudau; Simunji

1998/99 Rothmans, 2nd rd, 1st leg Wits 0-1 Sundowns Chukwu

1998/99 Rothmans, 2nd rd, 2nd leg Sundowns 2-1 Wits Mudau, B. Mnguni; Chikoti

2001/02 Coca-Cola, 1st round Sundowns 2-0 Wits Shai, McCarthy

2004/05 Coca-Cola, qfinal Wits 2-1 Sundowns Kapowezha, Noble; Kilambe

2011/12 Nedbank, 2nd round Wits 0-2 Sundowns Mushekwi 2

2016/17 MTN8, final Wits 3-0 Sundowns Klate 2, Rodgers

Cup competitions

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 11 8 1 2 18 8

Wits 11 2 1 8 8 18

Last 10 league results

Season Result Scorers

2015/16 Sundowns 4-2 Wits Malajila 2, Billiat, Modise; Klate 2

2015/16 Wits 0-1 Sundowns Billiat

2016/17 Sundowns 2-0 Wits Kekana, Vilakazi

2016/17 Wits 1-0 Sundowns Motshwari

2017/18 Wits 0-2 Sundowns Billiat 2

2017/18 Sundowns 2-0 Wits T. Zwane, Vilakazi

2018/19 Sundowns 1-1 Wits Kekana; Ritchie

2018/19 Wits 1-1 Sundowns Motupa; Mahlambi

2019/20 Wits 1-1 Sundowns Motupa; Sirino

2019/20 Sundowns 0-0 Wits

All competitions (since 1985)

P W D L GF GA

Sundowns 80 44 17 19 112 71

Wits 80 19 17 44 71 112