The Nedbank Cup Last 16 gets under way on Thursday with a repeat of last year’s final as Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Bloemfontein to meet Marumo Gallants, with the balance of the fixtures to be staged next week.
Here is a guide to the matches coming up.
MARUMO GALLANTS VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
Thursday, March 2 – Free State Stadium (18h00) )
A repeat of the 2022 decider which Sundowns won at the very end of extra-time, Gallants have seen a recent resurgence since the return to the club of coach Dylan Kerr. Sundowns are having arguably the most dominant domestic season ever but this will be a test against a side hungry for revenge. Sundowns’ only previous two away games at Gallants ended in 3-1 and 4-0 wins, though this is the first time they meet in the Free State. This match is being played this week as both are involved in CAF club competition.
DONDOL STARS VS AMAZULU )
Wednesday, March 8 – TUT Stadium (19h30) )
Giant-killers Dondol Stars welcome topflight AmaZulu to their Gauteng home and will hope for a repeat of their shock ousting of SuperSport United in the Last 32. For Usuthu it is a second ABC Motsepe League side in as many rounds after they saw off Tornado FC 3-2 in the opening stage. The KwaZulu-Natal club have already reached the MTN8 final this year but still now quite hit their straps under young coach Romain Folz. This one might just be another upset!
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED VS CAPE TOWN SPURS)
Friday, March 10 – Peter Mokaba Stadium (19h30) )
Sekhukhune United won in the Nedbank Cup for the first time when they beat fourth-tier Liver Brothers 6-0 in the Last 32, but now face a much trickier opponent. Spurs have been in excellent form in the second-tier and brushed aside Baroka FC 3-0 in the last round. They are making a huge push for promotion. The home team will be favourites, but Spurs coach Shaun Bartlett, who scored the winner in the 1995 final of this competition for the Cape Town club, will have a plan for them.
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS VS ROYAL AM)
Saturday, March 11 – Princess Magogo Stadium (15h00) )
A KwaZulu-Natal Derby, this is one of three all-DStv Premiership clashes in the Last 16 draw. These two met as recently as three weeks ago when Royal AM picked up a 2-1 away win in the league, with the only other games between the two last season both ending in draws. Royal AM were Nedbank Cup semifinalist in 2022.
CHIPPA UNITED VS MPHENI HOME DEFENDERS)
Saturday, March 11 – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (15h00) )
Chippa will host Limpopo third-tier side Home Defenders who will be a great unknown to them. Chilli Boyz recently axed coach Morgan Mammila and replaced him to the end of the season with Kurt Lentjies, who was a player for the club in the 2021 Nedbank Cup final they lost to Gallants. Home Defenders are debuting in the competition this year and beat fellow third-tier side Clarewood JMP 3-0 in the last round.
ORLANDO PIRATES VS VENDA FOOTBALL ACADEMY )
Saturday, March 11 – Orlando Stadium (20h00) )
Pirates will be delighted with the home draw and will fancy their chances of getting past the mid-table second-tier side from Venda. The Buccaneers only ever loss to lower league opponents in the Nedbank Cup was to third-tier Maluti FET College in 2012, but that proved a one-off. They otherwise have a strong record. This will be the first time Venda have met top tier opposition in the competition with two of their three previous ties against third-tier sides.
TS GALAXY VS STELLENBOSCH FC)
Sunday, March 12 – Mbombela Stadium (15h00) )
The 2019 champions Galaxy come up against a Stellenbosch side who have turned around their form and were excellent to win 3-0 against Swallows in the Last 32. Stellies have targeted this trophy to show their progression as a club and will be well up for the challenge. These sides have met seven times before with Stellenbosch winning four of those to go with three draws. Galaxy will be seeking a historic first win.
KAIZER CHIEFS VS CASRIC STARS)
Sunday, March 12 – FNB Stadium (18h00)
This will be a sixth time in 11 Nedbank Cup games that Chiefs have faced a side from outside the topflight and while they have won three of the previous five, their six losses overall to lower league teams is the most for a topflight side in history. They needed extra-time to beat Maritzburg United in the last round while Casric Stars were handsome 4-0 winners over minnows Mkhambathi FC. Stars have been flying in the second-tier this season and have a side that will definitely trouble the AmaKhosi.