Nerves of steel – Nedbank shootout records of the quarterfinalists The Nedbank Cup quarterfinals have traditionally been tense and tight affairs and there is every possibility we may see penalty shoot-outs again this year looking at the fixtures.
Some teams appear to handle the pressure of the shoot-out better than others, so what are the records of the eight remaining teams in this Nedbank Cup since 2008?
AMAZULU
Shoot-outs: 8
Won/Lost: 5/3
Usuthu have been involved in a massive eight shoot-outs and started out OK, winning their first three against Moroka Swallows, Mamelodi Sundowns (both 2010) and Ajax Cape Town (2012).
They suffered a first defeat in the Last 32 against Jomo Cosmos in 2016, and have since also lost on spot-kicks to Highlands Park (2019) and third-tier Dondol Stars (2023). That is to go with two more wins against Mthatha Bucks (2018) and Lamontville Golden Arrows (2021) for a 60% success rate.
CHIPPA UNITED
Shoot-outs: 5
Won/Lost: 3/2
Chippa have a 60% win ration in their Nedbank Cup shootouts, but have in fact claimed the last three, so since 2017 that rises to 100%. They lost shootouts to third-tier Natal United in 2015 and SuperSport United cruelly in the semifinals in 2017. Since then they have beaten BidVest Wits (after an epic 4-4 draw), Free State Stars and last season Polokwane City in the Last 32.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Shoot-outs: 4
Won/Lost: 2/2
Sundowns have two wins and two defeats in their four shoot-outs in the past, so a 50% record of success. They beat Kaizer Chiefs in the Last 16 in 2008, but lost to AmaZulu in the semifinals two years later.
They then survived a scare in the final against Ajax Cape Town when they won 4-3 on penalties, with Ajax’s Abbubaker Mobara missing a spot-kick to win it for his side. They did not have another one until the semifinals in 2021 when they were beaten by eventual champions TTM in a major shock. That was also their last.
ORLANDO PIRATES
Shoot-outs: 6
Won/Lost: 2/4
Like Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates have also struggled badly in Nedbank Cup shootouts, though they do have two wins to their name. They lost to Santos in the Last 32 in 2008, and it wasn’t until 2014 when they appeared in a shootout again, this time getting the better of Thanda Royal Zulu.
But since then it has largely been a tale of woe, with back-to-back Last 32 losses to Black Leopards (2019) and BidVest Wits (2020), and defeat to Marumo Gallants in 2022. They had another shoot-out last season on their way to lifting the trophy, and this time edged third-tier Dondol Stars.
STELLENBOSCH FC
Shoot-outs: 3
Won/Lost: 1/2
Stellenbosch have also only had three shootouts in the past and have a 33% success rate. Their first was in the 2020 season when they met Maritzburg United at home, but lost the shootout 5-4 after a 2-2 draw.
They then suffered the heartache of a semifinal loss on penalties to Sekhukhune United last season, but overcame second-tier Pretoria Callies in the Last 32 this campaign.
SUPERSPORT UNITED
Shoot-outs: 7
Won/Lost: 6/1
SuperSport won their first five shoot-outs in the Nedbank Cup, defeating Batau FC (2012), Moroka Swallows (2013), University of Pretoria (2016), Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United (both 20917).
But that incredible run came to an end when they were beaten by Bloemfontein Celtic in the first round in 2018, though just this year they were back to winning ways with victory over Cape Town City. That gives them a 86% success rate, which is pretty impressive considering penalties are supposed to be a lottery.
TS GALAXY
Shoot-outs: 2
Won/Lost: 0/2
Galaxy are the only side in this year’s quarterfinals who have yet to win a shootout in the Nedbank Cup, losing both their previous attempts. They were bundled out by second-tier TS Sporting in 2021 and then lost to Baroka FC the following season.
They did win two shoot-outs in the Carling Knockout this season on their way to the final, but then lost on spot-kicks to Stellenbosch FC to take the silver medal.
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
Shoot-outs: 3
Won/Lost:
2/1 AmaTuks defeated Jomo Cosmos in their first Nedbank Cup shoot-out in 2010, but then lost in the first round to Maritzburg United in spot-kicks in 2013. They did not have another one for nine years, before they needed penalties to edge Venda Football Academy 4-3 in the Last 16 in 2022.