Six former winners still in the hunt for Nedbank Cup glory

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Mar 08, 2022. 13:00

The Nedbank Cup returns this week as six of the 16 remaining clubs look to take another step towards winning the title once more.

The action kicks off on Tuesday as Mamelodi Sundowns look to avoid a giant killing when they host Mathaithai at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

The Brazilians, who won the title in 2008, 2015 and 2020, hammered GladAfrica Championship leaders Richards Bay 4-0 in the round of 32, while the Sebete Boys beat fellow ABC Motsepe League outfit NC Pro’s 2-0.

Marumo Gallants will be wary of a backlash when Orlando Pirates arrive at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, in one of three all-DStv Premiership encounters of the round.

The Buccaneers, winners in 2011 and 2014, suffered a derby disappointment on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs. They will be determined to bounce back in midweek by knocking out another league rival after disposing of AmaZulu (1-0) in the previous round. Bahlabane Ba Ntwa advanced to the round of 16 courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Santos.

Friday’s early kick-off pits two GladAfrica teams against one another as Venda Football Academy welcome University of Pretoria to the Thohoyandou Stadium.

Venda booked their place in the last 16 thanks to a 3-1 win over African All Stars, while AmaTuks claimed the first top-flight scalp in the competition when they beat Chippa United 2-0.

Later in the day, Dobsonville Stadium will be the venue when Swallows and Royal AM meet for the second time in the space of a week.

Thwihli Thwahla ran out narrow 1-0 victors over the Dube Birds in their league clash at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday, while they saw off Cape Town City (2-1) in the round of 32. Dylan Kerr’s side beat TS Sporting by the same scoreline to progress to the next round.

On Saturday, Sinenkani will be hoping to keep their Nedbank Cup dream alive when they take on TTM at the Mthatha Stadium.

The ABC Motsepe League team did away with another second-tier club in Free State Stars with a 2-1 win last time out, while Vhadau Vha Damani dispatched Golden Arrows on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Three-time champions SuperSport United will continue their quest for a fourth title when they face Platinum City Rovers at Olen Park.

Matsatsantsa sent Maritzburg United packing in the previous round with a 1-0 win. Meanwhile, Rovers also needed penalties to get past Sekhukhune United after they played out to a 1-1 draw.

In the first of two cup-ties on Sunday, Summerfield lock horns with Black Eagles at Chatsworth Stadium, which will see a club from the ABC Motsepe League guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals.

Summerfield eliminated Uthongathi (1-0) in the previous round, while Black Eagles came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Sivutsa (3-2).

In the final match of the round, 2019 winners TS Galaxy entertain Baroka at the Mbombela Stadium just six days after they clashed in the league.

Bakgaga emerged 1-0 victors in a relegation six-pointer on Saturday to go level on 17 points with the Rockets at the bottom of the standings. Kgoloko Thobejane’s side pulled off a surprise 1-0 win over Stellenbosch in the round of 32 as Galaxy beat Kaizer Chiefs in a repeat of the 2019 final.

Nedbank Cup round-of-16 fixtures:

Tuesday:

18h00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Mathaithai

Wednesday:

18h00: Marumo Gallants v Orlando Pirates

Friday:

15h00: Venda Football Academy v University of Pretoria

18h00: Swallows v Royal AM

Saturday:

15h00: Sinenkani v TTM

18h00: Platinum City Rovers v SuperSport United

Sunday:

15h00: Summerfield v Black Eagles

18h00: TS Galaxy v Baroka