We have waited so long for iDiski to return to our screens. What better way to welcome the return of football, than enjoying the ‘Ke Yona’ experience with Nedbank Cup. While some of the big guns have small fish to fry, we have some heat seekers in our midst.
On Friday, we see GladAfrica Championship log-leaders Richards Bay FC, welcome DStv Premiership table-toppers, Mamelodi Sundowns, then on Sunday AmaZulu leave the ocean side to Orlando Stadium where they take on the Sea Robbers, and on Wednesday SuperSport United make their way to KZN’s capital to try and fend off Maritzburg United.
Let’s see where we can rake in some coin.
Friday 4 February
Richards Bay 7/1
Draw 7/2
Mamelodi Sundowns 1/3
(18:00)
The Nedbank Cup puts together a battle of the log-leaders this Friday. Mamelodi Sundowns will travel to the North Coast of KZN to meet NFD side Richards Bay FC. The home team is on a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which includes the win over Polokwane City via penalties in the cup’s preliminary round. Richards Bay are privy to slaughtering the odd giant, as they were able to do so last year defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-2 at the FNB Stadium. Head Coach Sifiso Dladla mentioned that Sundowns go into fixtures with their head screwed on facing their opponent with respect, and with the quality that Masandawa possess including the right mindset, they will be unstoppable in this encounter. Back the DStv Premiership champions to get the ball rolling again.
Saturday 5 November
Swallows 8/10
Draw 22/10
TS Sporting 33/10
(15:00)
TS Sporting’s preliminary round fixture against fellow NFD opposition, JDR Stars, was comprehensive. A 35th-minute penalty converted by Quentin Ghislain, followed by two second half goals from midfielders Siya Mtombeni and Sizwe Sithole was enough get the job done. While they may have progressed to the last-32 of the Nedbank Cup, TS are in mighty poor form at the moment, with said victory being their only win in five fixtures, losing the other four. Swallows are in a similar boat, draws with Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows, losses to CT City and Marumo Gallants, and a win over Baroka in their last five. The mighty Dube Birds will have some confidence heading into this encounter with former Nedbank Cup winner as manager, Dylan Kerr at the helm. Since taking over Swallows in December, Kerr has scraped the team out of the relegation zone and will look to boost the team’s confidence even further in a cup he knows how to win. Strongly get behind Swallows to end this encounter swiftly.
Tshakhuma TM 33/10
Draw 22/10
Golden Arrows 8/10
(18:00)
Just five points above the NFD relegation zone, a win in the last-32 of the Nedbank Cup might be just what the doctor ordered for TTM but facing a new and revitalised Golden Arrows side will be a difficult fete. Abafana Be’sthende have not slumped after losing a long-standing head coach, in fact they have been pretty good. Undefeated in eight league fixtures with their only losses to Mamelodi Sundowns and CT City this season, and with a new Sthende in town in the form of Sera Motebang, the competition amongst the strike force will improve. If you’re backing Swallows, you have to add Golden Arrows to the mix as the banker of the round of 32 for me.
Sunday 6 February
Orlando Pirates 8/10
Draw 22/10
AmaZulu 33/10
(15:00)
Without question, the must watch match of the Nedbank Cup round of 32, Usuthu travel to Soweto to in hopes of upsetting the ‘Happy People’.
The Buccaneers are unlucky to not have all their key players back to full fitness after such a hefty break in the action with Vincent Pule, Zakhele Lepasa, and again, Thembinkosi Lorch all major doubts. But there is a boost for Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids with Gabadhino Mhango back after AFCON duties with Malawi, as well as Olisah Ndah returning from his time with Nigeria.
Before the break, Orlando Pirates were able to get the better of AmaZulu in the league, defeating the KZN boys 2-1, which put them second in the DStv Premiership. The Soweto giants have tasted just three defeats in the league this season, with two of them at the hands of Sundowns, and one to eternal rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
AmaZulu as we all know, have entered a new era under the Zungu ownership and under the watchful eye of Benni McCarthy. While one of the key players which got them to where they are, Siyethembe Sithebe continues to be on the out and outs with the club, there have been new additions over the January window. Cape Town City stalwart Abbubaker Mobara joins his ex-coach at Usuthu which will strengthen an already defensively strong AmaZulu, alongside a fairly unknown international in forward Abraham Majok, who has made a name for himself in the Australian football scene.
Benni’s boys always give everything on the pitch, but everything just hasn’t been enough this season with 12 draws to their name so far.
With both teams showing fighting spirit this campaign, I cannot separate the two, and I am backing a draw in this encounter.
Wednesday 6 February
Maritzburg United 2/1
Draw 2/1
SuperSport United 13/10
(18:00)
Wednesday sees another big DStv Premiership clash taking place in the infamous cup competition. While Maritzburg United have been preparing to fight for their lives in the league, a cup tie against SuperSport United will be a refreshing change of scenery as well the chance to test what they have worked on this last month in the international break. Matsatsantsa’s life in the league has not been up to scratch this campaign, and losing one of, if not thee key player of the squad, in Teboho Mokoena, it’s about to get a whole lot harder. Despite the loss, SuperSport have players to get the job done against Maritzburg, get on at 13/10.
MULTIPLE @ 30/1
Mamelodi Sundowns Win 1/3
Swallows Win 8/10
Golden Arrows Win 8/10
Orlando Pirates vs AmaZulu: Draw 22/10
SuperSport United Win 13/10
Written by Joshua Gaillard