The tactical masterminds in the Nedbank Cup

The eight remaining coaches in the 2024 Nedbank Cup have a varied history in the competition but all have the same goal, to lift the trophy come the final on June 1 as they prepare for key quarterfinal clashes this weekend.

Here is a quick look at their past in South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition with three former winners remaining in the hunt this campaign.

STEVE BARKER – STELLENBOSCH FC

Barker has yet to lift the Nedbank Cup but came mighty close with second-tier University of Pretoria as he led them to a surprise final appearance in 2009, though they fell short in a 1-0 loss to Moroka Swallows at the Rand Stadium. Now he hopes to do the same with more fancied Stellenbosch, who have shades of that AmaTuks team, with young, hungry players eager to make a name for themselves. He got Stellies to the semifinals last season where they lost on penalties to Sekhukhune United. Barker is currently the longest serving coach in the DStv Premiership having been at the Winelands Club since 2017. He is the nephew of late, revered former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker.

PABLO FRANCO – AMAZULU

Franco is in his first season in South African football, but the Spaniard is adapting quickly to his new environment. Usuthu have improved steadily as the campaign has gone on, and he will be hoping to make history with the team. AmaZulu have been to six previous finals of the Nedbank Cup competition, the last in 2010, but have never lifted the trophy. He could write his name into club folklore if he can pull it off.

GAVIN HUNT – SUPERSPORT UNITED

Hunt reached three Nedbank Cup finals in a row between 2012 and 2014 but won only one of them. That was a 2-0 success with SuperSport United against Mamelodi Sundowns, before Matsatsantsa lost the following year to Kaizer Chiefs. Hunt moved to BidVest Wits for the 2013/14 season, and made the final again, only this time they were beaten 3-1 by Orlando Pirates. He also lifted the trophy with Moroka Swallows in 2004, before it was played in its current guise.

RULANI MOKWENA – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

One of only three coaches among the Nedbank Cup quarterfinalists to have lifted the Nedbank Cup trophy before, he helped the side to the title in 2022 alongside co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi, though he is now in sole charge of the team. The 37-year-old was also assistant coach under Pitso Mosimane when Sundowns won in 2015 in 2020. Lauded for his tactician acumen, Sundowns have gone to greater heights under his stewardship, and they remain the team to beat in this year’s competition. He is the nephew of the great Jomo Sono.

TLISANE MOTAUNG – UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

Motaung has been in charge of second-tier AmaTuks since October 2020 and has slowly been building a formidable squad. They are on a promotion push this season and look to be among the favourites to earn a place in the DStv Premiership in the next campaign. He guided the side to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals last season, where they lost to topflight Royal AM. He has masterminded wins over Cape Town Spurs and Moroka Swallows so far this season.

SEAD RAMOVIC – TS GALAXY

Ramovic led Galaxy to the final of the Carling Knockout earlier this campaign and will be desperate to go one better and claim the Nedbank Cup title. They are playing some superb football at the moment, so anything is possible, and he has created a strong culture within the team. He has been at the club for two-and-a-half years and has improved the side no end. Will he claim a first piece of silverware in South African football and a second Nedbank Cup for Galaxy after their 2019 triumph?

JOSE RIVEIRO – ORLANDO PIRATES

The Spanish coach is in his second season in South African football and already has three trophies to his name, including the 2023 Nedbank Cup to go with a pair of MTN8 triumphs. He certainly knows how to set his team up for knockout football and has yet to lose a Nedbank Cup game having taken charge of seven to date. In fact, he has taken charge of 17 domestic cup matches in all and only lost once outright, a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinals this season. His side still advanced in that tie on the away goals rule.

THABO SEPTEMBER/KWANELE KOPO – CHIPPA UNITED

Chippa have a co-coaching duo in charge with September a former SuperSport United defender who has tasted Nedbank Cup glory as a player. He is fairly new to the coaching environment. Kopo has been assistant coach at SuperSport and head coach with Pretoria Callies, and is viewed as an astute tactician. Neither of them has won silverware as a coach before.