With the Telkom Knockout Cup taken away from us this season, the footballing calendar year has become a tad less hectic for clubs who can now go into each tournament fresh with ample time for preparations.
With so much to look forward to in the Nedbank Cup this weekend, we’ll be taking a look at some key battles in the tournament as we look for those potential upsets, while also separating the bankers to include in all our multiples.
Friday 5 February
Just the double header to look forward to on Friday afternoon in the Nedbank Cup as Pretoria Callies host Royal AM, while Maritzburg United entertain Sekhukhune United. Considering Pretoria Callies are two places above Royal AM despite playing a game less, they should make it through to the next round. Callies have also won four games in a row.
Maritzburg United haven’t looked like their usual selves and face the GladAfrica’s log leaders, Sekhukhune United. With Ernst Maritzburg likely to tinker his best team around, perhaps an upset could be on the cards here.
Take Pretoria Callies to win (18/10) & Maritzburg United to draw with Sekhukhune United (24/10).
Saturday 6 February
There are five games on Saturday in the Nedbank Cup, but our main focus is undoubtedly the KZN derby between Golden Arrows and AmaZulu. Arrows are unbeaten in Natal and have previously beaten Usuthu 2-0 at Kings Park Stadium earlier this term. The tie between Cape Town City and Bloemfontein Celtic should also prove to be a fascinating affair after the two sides played to a six-goal thriller earlier this season with City coming out 4-2 winners in the end.
My money is on TS Galaxy (13/20), Orlando Pirates (3/10), JDR Stars (11/20), Golden Arrows (12/10) and Cape Town City (9/10) all to win.
Sunday 7 February
As straightforward as it may have seemed on Saturday, Sunday’s Nedbank Cup ties look to be fairly easier to call with some of the DStv Premiership’s big guns taking on some favourable opposition from the GladAfrica Championship. Kaizer Chiefs, despite their derby defeat to Orlando Pirates, have looked decent in recent weeks and should be all over Richards Bay, while Swallows have the chance of overachieving yet again with a solid cup run, where they host Cape Umoya United first. The toughest game to call on the day is undoubtedly the clash between Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards. Personally, I don’t buy into the fact that they could sacrifice this game to focus on survival. After all, it’s only February.
Back Chippa United (17/20), Black Leopards (17/10), Swallows (7/20) and Kaizer Chiefs (4/10) to all get through to the next round in 90 minutes.
Monday 8 February
Cape Town Stars are down in a relegation fight in the GladAfrica Championship and face a Baroka side who come off the back of holding Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City to 1-1 draws. The Limpopo-based side seem to have turned the corner from the team they were becoming recently as they were slowly being roped into a relegation scramble.
Baroka (9/20) should be in all your Nedbank Cup multiples.
Written by Jesse Nagel