Durban City will be out for revenge when they face Chippa United in the Nedbank Cup last‑32, while Vasco da Gama lock horns with fellow ABC Motsepe outfit Luthuli Brigades.
Durban City v Chippa United
Durban City will look to build on a positive first season in the South African top-flight with a win over Chippa United in their Nedbank Cup last 32 encounter on Friday.
The club are in sixth place on the Betway Premiership with 25 points from their opening 17 games, just 10 points behind league leaders Orlando Piratees.
They are also ten points better off than Chippa United, down in 14th place with 15 points, but most recently went down 2-0 to the Chilli Boys at Buffalo City Stadium last weekend.
Under the guindance of Vusumuzi Vilakazi, Chippa have been on the up and are unbeaten in their last four league games.
Sinethemba Badela, meanwhile, only joined City following the departure of Gavin Hunt to Stellenbosch in December and picked up all three points in a 1-0 win over Polokwane City in his first game in charge of the club.
While this is technically Durban City’s first involvement in the Nedbank Cup following their name change and promotion, Chippa made it as far as the round of 16 last season where they lost 3-0 to Kaizer Chiefs.
Vasco da Gama v Luthuli Brigades
Western Cape ABC Motsepe League team Vasco Da Gama face Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League side Luthuli Brigades in their Nedbank Cup last 32 encounter.
Vasco booked their place in the round of 32 for the second consecutive season with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Trinitarians in the Western Cape regional final at Uitsig Sports Ground.
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Last season’s campaign saw them paired with TS Galaxy and they were no match for the top-flight side as the lost 7-0.
Luthuli made it to the last 32 after beating Bush Bucks 1-0 in extra-time in their final play-off at the Dr Pretrus Malemela Stadium.
Speaking after their succesful qualfier, Vasco head coach Andrew Pequeno said in the Plainsman: “This is all about the players.
“They fought hard for this, and I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.
“Reaching the last 32 of a national competition is a huge bonus for us. Our focus now shifts back to the league but for now we will enjoy this moment.”
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Free State Stars midfielder Lucky Mohomi, who is winding down his career with Luthuli, told Soccer Laduma: “The coaches at the club called me to come join the club to help them because they felt that they needed some experience in the team. With no pressure or anything, I felt I should go and see how things go.
“It’s been good so far. There are a lot of youngsters who are hungry and energetic and the tempo of the games are on another level.”