Buccaneers chase a hat-trick as Nedbank Cup takes centre stage

Orlando Pirates will look to put themselves on the path for a third successive Nedbank Cup title when the Last 32 round of the 2024-25 edition is held from Friday 24 to Wednesday 29 January.

Pirates, who won the 2023 and 2024 Nedbank Cup titles, are looking to emulate their own achievement from 1973 to 1975 when they became the first – and thus far only – team to win three National Cup titles in a row.

The Buccaneers have had the benefit of facing lower-league opposition in the early rounds in the past two years, but this time around they will come up against a fellow top-flight club first up, as they take on Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Soweto giants are fresh from an impressive away triumph over Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League last weekend, while Bay have failed to win any of their last three matches, most recently slumping to a 2-1 defeat away to Cape Town City.

Nonetheless, Natal Rich Boyz captain Simphiwe Mcineka believes his team is capable of upsetting the defending champions.

“We have a strong squad, but a few past results have made people think we are a bad team, but we know we are not,” said Mcineka. “The only thing that has let us down is missing chances. We create a lot of chances, but we mysteriously fail to find the back of the net.”

The Last 32 opens on Friday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with a clash between second-tier Pretoria Callies and top-flight Marumo Gallants, while Saturday is headlined by a classic ‘David v Goliath’ clash, as Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Sibanye Golden Stars, who play in the ABC Motsepe League (third tier) in the Free State.

Sunday’s ‘giant killing’ spotlight will fall on Free Agents FC (another ABC Motsepe club), as they take on 13-time National Cup winners Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.

The Nedbank Cup is Chiefs’ only realistic avenue to prevent their trophy drought reaching the 10-year mark, and given the roller-coaster season they are experiencing, they cannot afford a repeat of last year’s embarrassing Last 32 exit at the hands of a lower league club (Milford FC).

“I am excited that we will be playing against Kaizer Chiefs because I think it is everyone’s dream to play against a big club like that,” said Free Agent skipper Thulani Dhladhla.

“Since we all know Chiefs have a history of losing against lower division teams, I think this fixture favours us. It means we have a good chance of winning against them and advancing to the next round.”

The Last 32 continues through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, including all-top-flight clashes in which Sekhukhune United face Cape Town City and Magesi FC tackle SuperSport United, while AmaZulu FC, Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy will look to avoid upsets at the hands of lower-league opponents.

NEDBANK CUP LAST 32 FIXTURES

Times CAT

Friday 24 January

19:00: Pretoria Callies v Marumo Gallants

Saturday 25 January

15:00: Golden Arrows v Chippa United

15:00: Lerumo Lions v Durban City

15:00: Umvoti FC v Baroka FC

15:00: Venda FC v Cape Town Spurs

18:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Sibanye Golden Stars

Sunday 26 January

15:00: Mpheni Home Defenders v Hungry Lions