Chiefs stunned as Nedbank Cup last 32 wraps up

The Last 32 round of the 20223-24 Nedbank Cup wrapped up on Sunday, with 13-time champions Kaizer Chiefs suffering a shock exit at the hands of lower league Milford FC – undoubtedly the headline result across the 16 matches played from Tuesday to Sunday.

The Soweto giants are a record 13-time winners of the Nedbank Cup, but have now exited the tournament at the last 32 round in three of the last four seasons.

Milford won the tie at FNB Stadium 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes, defying the fact that they have won just once away from home this season, are a full 22 places below the Amakhosi on the league ladder, just one point above the relegation zone in their division, and ended the game with just 10 men.

Sunday also featured a comfortable 3-0 win for second-tier Maritzburg United over lower league Paarl United (with goals from Bantu Chingi, Reagan Van Der Ross and Andiswa Sithole), D’General FC ousted fellow minnows Madridistas FC 2-0 (goals from Charles Sikhosana and Tladi Makheta), and DStv Premiership club Chippa United claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win away to NC Pros at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington (goals from Bienvenu Eva Nga and Kayden Francis).

SHOOTOUTS GALORE

The round opened last midweek with Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United advancing. The former thrashed second-tier NB La Masia 6-1, while the latter overcame fellow Premiership club Cape Town City on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

A further five penalty shootouts followed through the remainder of the round, including top-flight clubs Sekhukhune United, Moroka Swallows and Stellenbosch FC edging past lower league opponents, Highlands Park, Platinum City Rovers and Pretoria Callies respectively.

Cape Town Spurs’ miserable season continued with a 1-0 loss to University of Pretoria in midweek, while AmaZulu got the better of regional rivals Royal AM thanks to a lone, late goal from Hendrick Ekstein.

Defending champions Orlando Pirates blitzed minnows Crystal Lake 6-0 – with defender Thapelo Xoki netting a brace – while two all-Premiership battles on the weekend saw TS Galaxy win 2-1 away to Golden Arrows (for a second victory over Abafana Bes’thende in a matter of days), and Richards Bay (inspired by a double strike from Thulani Gumede) took down Polokwane City 3-2.

In addition, Hungry Lions lived up to their name with a 1-0 away win (after extra time) over 10-man JDR Stars in Soshanguve, and Ravens FC saw off Spain FC on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes between the two lower league clubs.

The last 16 round of the Nedbank Cup is scheduled to be held in mid-March, with the draw set to be conducted on Monday evening.

Nedbank Cup Last 32 results

Tuesday 20 February

NB La Masia 1-6 Mamelodi Sundowns

SuperSport United 1-1 Cape Town City – After extra time, SuperSport won 3-1 on penalties

Wednesday 21 February

Highlands Park 1-1 Sekhukhune United – After extra time, Sekhukhune won 5-4 on penalties

University of Pretoria 1-0 Cape Town Spurs

Thursday 22 February

AmaZulu 1-0 Royal AM

Friday 23 February

Golden Arrows 1-2 TS Galaxy