Sundowns, Sekhukhune Nedbank Cup clash promises goals
With one final fixture to be played in the 2025 Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, this year’s goals tally is lagging behind recent campaigns at this stage of the competition.
Mamelodi Sundowns host Sekhukhune United in their last-8 clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday with eight goals scored in three games so far in the other quarterfinals.
Midweek momentum. The focus sharpens. 💪#Sundowns #NedbankCup #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/h9IbRQDWoP
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) March 26, 2025
SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates played to a 2-2 draw before the latter won on penalties, while Kaizer Chiefs won 3-1 away at Stellenbosch FC. There were no goals between Durban City and Marumo Gallants as the latter advanced via spot-kicks.
But clashes between Sundowns and Sekhukhune have brought goals of late. The Brazilians won 3-0 and 4-2 in the league clashes this season.
That is nine goals in two games and a similar average would give this year’s quarterfinals a timely boost.
Up until a few years ago this was a round that had mixed reviews in terms of goal-scoring, but there has been a definite uptick in recent times.
There have been 82 goals scored in 26 Nedbank Cup ties so far this season, a very healthy average of 3.23 per game.
Four of the last six years have been the most for goals at the quarterfinal stage, with 2020 (8 goals) and 2023 (11 goals) the odd ones out.
In 2019 there were a whopping 16 goals scored in the four quarterfinals, a record that was matched in 2022 as five of the six fixtures had five goals in them. In 2021 there were a very healthy 14 goals scored and that was matched by the same number in 2024.
The 2019 tally received a major boost from the astonishing 4-4 draw between BidVest Wits and Chippa United, while in 2021 the goals were more evenly spread around the games, with the most in a single fixture coming as Mamelodi Sundowns thumped Orlando Pirates 4-1.
Last year there was a 4-2 win for Orlando Pirates over AmaZulu that boosted numbers, and a 4-0 win for Stellenbosch FC against SuperSport United.
In 11 of the previous 17 years, the goals tally has reached double-figures in the quarterfinals, which equates to a minimum of 2.50 goals per game, very healthy by global standards.
The 2011 campaign was the stand-out season prior to the recent jump in numbers, when clubs found the back of the net on 14 occasions in a goals rush.
Those games included Baroka FC’s stunning 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs, the first time the AmaKhosi had lost to third-tier opposition, but also two five-goal thrillers.
Black Leopards defeated Vasco da Gama 3-2 in a hugely entertaining encounter, while Mpumalanga Black Aces edged AmaZulu by the same scoreline.
The fourth quarterfinal was a narrow 1-0 victory for Orlando Pirates over Free State Stars.
There have also been 12 goals scored in the quarterfinals on three occasions, the most recent in 2014.
The fewest number scored in the quarterfinals was in 2012 when the fixtures produced only five goals.
Mamelodi Sundowns beat Maritzburg United 2-0, while the other three games all finished 1-0, including a shock win for Free State Stars over Kaizer Chiefs.
GOALS IN THE NEDBANK CUP QUARTERFINALS SINCE 2008
2008 - 10
2009 - 12
2010 - 9
2011 - 14
2012 - 5
2013 - 12
2014 - 12
2015 - 11
2016 - 7
2017 - 7
2018 - 9
2019 - 16
2020 - 8
2021 - 14
2022 - 16
2023 - 11
2024 - 14
2025 - 8*
