With eight teams remaining in the Nedbank Cup including the defending champions Orlando Pirates as well as the league champions Mamelodi Sundowns, we look to see if Pirates can defend their trophy, be R7 million richer, and qualify for next season’s CAF Confederations Cup. AmaTuks are notably the only lower division side remaining in the tournament, they have a mountain of a task ahead of them as they were pitted against MTN 8 finalist Amasandawana while SuperSport United will battle the Carling Knockout Cup champions Stellenbosch FC and we will close off with TS Galaxy hosting Chippa united.
Friday, April 12,
7/1 University of Pretoria | Draw 3/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns 4/10 19:00
AmaTuks showed character when they sent Moroka Swallows packing in the round of 16 dropping them 2-1. They face a daunting task of overcoming the reigning DStv Premiership champions. The students are no strangers at finding their backs against the wall in this competition, they faced Kaizer Chiefs in the last 16 of the 2009 campaign and shocked the world when they defeated them 4-3. They will be hoping for the same fate against Kabo Yellow.
Sundowns on the other hand recently booked their spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League by beating Young Africans 3-2 on penalties. They are heading to this match highly motivated and will be aiming to stay on the winning lane in a bid to add another trophy to their cabinet having missed out of the MTN 8 after losing to Pirates on penalties in the final. They are no doubt the stronger side in this clash and should ease past their Pretoria counterparts. Sundowns to win.
Saturday, April 13
14/10 Stellenbosch | Draw 2/1 | SuperSport United 2/1 15:00
Stellies experienced no problems when they thrashed second-tier Milford FC 6-1 in the last 16. However, SuperSport is a completely different team that is more than capable of causing an upset. Steve Barker’s side has stretched their unbeaten run to 20 matches and expected to continue with it given their impressive form.
Amatsantsantsa’s form has dropped drastically since their 3-1 win against Richards Bay in the last 16 of this competition. They recently went 1-0 down to TS Galaxy and will be aiming to regroup and get back to their winning ways. They managed to hold the Cape Winelands side to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting despite playing with 10-men after Keegan Allan received a red card. I see this match being decided on penalties.
5/2 AmaZulu | Draw 2/1 |Orlando Pirates 12/10 18:00
Usuthu managed to hold Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw in their last meeting and will be looking to avoid another defeat at the hands of the Soweto giants and take a step closer towards lifting the trophy. Pablo Franco Martin’s side were convincing in their 1-0 victory against Cape Town City and should give Pirates a run for their money given the fact that they will also be enjoying home ground advantage.
The Sea Robbers are overflowing with confidence after a 7-1 thrashing of Golden Arrows with Tshegofatso Mabasa scoring a hat-trick and reaching 13 goals in all competitions. They seem to be on the right trail towards defending their trophy given their impressive run so far this season which includes a 4-0 demolition of Hungry Lions to book a spot in the last eight.
Sunday, April 14
13/10 TS Galaxy | Draw 2/1 | Chippa United 22/10 15:00
On-form TS Galaxy extended their winning run to four matches when they beat SuperSport United 1-0 through Mpho Mvelase’s 52-minute strike this past weekend. They were knocked out in the final of the Carling Knockout Cup and have shown great determination of lifting this trophy for the second time.
The Chili Boys on the other side, are fresh off a resounding 2-0 win against the Soweto Giants Kaizer Chiefs. They are coming to this match with revenge on their mind having suffered a 2-0 loss in their last meeting against Sead Ramovic’s side. Their season has been full of ups and downs and they have spent most of it in the bottom half of the log too close to the relegation. Reaching the semis or even going as far as clinching the trophy would be a great turning point for them. My money is on Galaxy to win.
Written by @siphesihlesoni