A cup that is known for having several David vs Goliath fixtures due to the participation of teams from lower leagues who are out to make a name for themselves at the expense of the PSL heavyweights. We have seen giants being slayed and teams from lower leagues including TS Galaxy who shocked the world in 2019 when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs and lifted the cup as well as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC who defeated Chippa United in the 2021 edition of the competition. We are eager to find out which underdogs will slay the giants in the year’s competition.
Friday 23 February
13/10 Golden Arrows | Draw 2/1 | TS Galaxy 2/1
Golden Arrows, who are on a downward spiral, have been experiencing all sort of problems having suffered defeats in all their past eight matches. They have a daunting task of defeating TS Galaxy who demolished them 3-1 this past Sunday. This is their chance at redemption as they will be enjoying the backing of their home fans but with the poor performance that they have been showing lately it is difficult to see them going past the Rockets.
Sead Ramovic’s side had a great showing when they dispatched Arrows 3-1 despite conceding in the seventh minute they managed to regroup and win the game. Lehlogonolo Mojela and Samir Nurkovic have been scoring the crucial goals for Galaxy and are expected to continue with their fine form and add to the woes of Arrows. Easy win for Galaxy.
1/12 Stellenbosch FC | Draw 7/1 | Pretoria Callies 16/1
Stellies will begin their path to lifting their second trophy in the top-flight league against Pretoria Callies. They will be aiming to get back to their winning ways having been held to a 1-1 draw against SuperSport United. This will be the first time that these two clubs will be meeting.
Callies were knocked out by Chippa United in the semi-finals of the 2021 edition and will be looking to emulate that performance. However, things are not going well for them, they are heading to this match at the back of a 2-1 defeat against Baroka and have a mountain of a task ahead of them as Stellies is one of the strongest teams in the league. They are currently positioned 13th on the National First Division log. Stellenbosch to win.
Saturday 24 February
16/10 JDR Stars | Draw 2/1 | Hungry Lions 16/10
JDR Stars will face their Motsepe Foundation Championship rivals Hungry Lions who have got the better of them in their past four matches. They recently avoided a third consecutive defeat after playing a 0-0 draw against La Masia and will be looking to regroup and get back to their winning ways.
Seventh-placed Hungry Lions will be looking for their fifth consecutive win against JDR Stars. With the stake being high, they are expected to come out strong to be able to book their spot in the last 16. Bet on Hungry Lion to win.
10/1 Platinum City Rovers | Draw 2/1 | Swallows 1/6
Relegation-threatened Platinum City Rovers will be looking to make their name at the expense of Moroka Swallows. A win against the Dube Birds will be a great confidence booster for Rovers in their effort to escape being axed.
Swallows on the other hand have been experiencing all sort of problems having not been able to secure a win in their past eight fixtures, they lost six and the other two ended in stalemates. A win in this clash will be a good turning point for them as they are currently on a highway to the relegation zone. With the experienced squad that Swallows have, I see them edging out Callies.
25/1 Crystal Lake | Draw 12/1 | Orlando Pirates 1/100
Crystal Lake will be looking to walk in the steps of Maluti FET College FC who shocked the world in the 2013 edition of the competition when they demolished Orlando Pirates 4-1. Crystal Lake who is currently playing in the SAFA Ehlanzeni Men’s Regional League will have their hands full when they face the defending Nedbank Cup champions in a David vs Goliath clash.
Pirates are heading to this match after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns despite being a man short after Miguel Timm received a red card. The Bucs have previously been slayed by the underdogs and are expected to not overlook the Mpumalanga side to be able to defend their Nedbank title. Bet on Orlando Pirates to win.
2/1 Richards Bay | Draw 12/1 | Polokwane 13/10
In one of the few DStv Premiership clashes, we will witness the relegation-threatened Richards Bay taking on Polokwane City. The Natal Rich Boyz had a stellar performance in the Carling Knockout Cup where they were knocked out in the semi-finals despite being fifteenth on the log, they have proven to be a side not to be taken lightly in cup competitions. They will be aiming to regroup from a 3-1 loss they suffered at the hands of Sekhukhune United.
Polokwane are heading to this match beaming with confidence having stretched their unbeaten run to three matches. They were victorious in their last meeting against Vusimuzi Vilakazi’s side walking away with three points after the game ended 1-0 in their favour. I see this game being settled on penalties.
Sunday 25 February
7/20 Maritzburg United | Draw 7/2 | Paarl United 6/1
The Team of Choice will go head-to-head with the SAFA Cape Winelands side Paarl United in a battle for a spot in the last 16. They will be looking to turn the tide having been able to record a win in their past eight matches. Maritzburg is currently eleventh in the NFD log and this is not a good place to be if they are still eyeing a return to the top league.
Edward Malunga Fiyaka’s side booked their spot in the last 32 by defeating ABC Motsepe League outfit Maties 1-0 at Mbekweni Stadium and will be looking to make a good impression when they clash against the big teams. With United’s poor display lately, I see Paarl pulling an upset.
10/1 NC Professionals | Draw 11/2 | Chippa United 1/6
NC Professionals will have their hands full when they face Chippa United. With the odds stacked against them, they will need to pull out all the stops to be able to defeat the experienced Chippa United. Chippa to come out victorious.
1/50 Kaizer Chiefs | Draw 10/1 | Milford 25/1
Chiefs have won a record 13 Nedbank Cup trophies will kickstart their path towards their 14th Nedbank Cup trophy with a home game against second-tier Milford FC. Amakhosi missed out on an opportunity to end the trophy draught that has lasted for almost a decade when they were knocked out of the MTN8 as well as the Carling Knockout Cup. They are desperate for a win and should experience no problems in defeating Milford FC. Chiefs to win.
Written by: @siphesihlesoni