The Nedbank Cup quarterfinals have produced some intriguing ties as the eight remaining clubs take aim at the last four in what looks like one of the most open campaigns in many years.
AmaZulu host second-tier Casric Stars on Saturday, 7 March (kick-off 3pm), while later in the day Sekhukhune United welcome Milford FC (6pm).
There are two more quarterfinal clashes on Sunday, 8 March, when third-tier Jacksa Spears go to 2019 winners TS Galaxy (3pm) and Lamontville Golden Arrows welcome Durban City (6pm).
Ahead of the fixtures, we look at the quarterfinal records of the eight sides, with Casric Stars, Milford FC and Jacksa Spears all appearing at this stage for the first time. Here is how the other five sides have fared since 2008.
Nedbank Cup quarterfinal records
AMAZULU
P5 W3 D0 L2 GF10 GA10
Usuthu have a mixed record but have had more positive results than not. They won their first two quarterfinals, defeating Black Leopards (3-2) in 2008 thanks to an Mpho Maleka hat-trick, and second-tier University of Pretoria (2-1) in 2010.
The following year they suffered a 3-2 loss to Mpumalanga Black Aces, before a fourth quarterfinal appearance in five years in 2012, when they defeated Santos 1-0 as Carlington Nyadombo scored the winner.
It was a long wait after that for their next appearance, which came in 2024 when they lost 4-2 to eventual champions Orlando Pirates.
It has been a stage for them that has seen goals, with 20 scored in those five games, an average of four per match.
DURBAN CITY
P1 W0 D1 L0 GF0 GA0
As a new club that was born out of the ashes of the old Maritzburg United, Durban City have only appeared once before in the quarterfinals, which was last season.
They were in the second tier then and hosted Marumo Gallants in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, before the latter’s greater experience in the shoot-out shone through as they won 4-1 on penalties.
With City’s first two games this season also ending 0-0 and going to penalties, it is something they are getting used to.
LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS
P3 W2 D0 L1 GF3 GA2
Golden Arrows appeared in three quarterfinals between 2015 and 2019, but not before that or since, so they are in rare territory this season.
They have won two of their previous visits to this stage, but are still waiting for their first Nedbank Cup final appearance.
They lost 1-0 to SuperSport United in 2015, before beating Platinum Stars by the same scoreline in 2017 as Musa Bilankulu got the game’s only goal.
They were back again in 2019 and the club’s record scorer Knox Mutizwa grabbed both goals in a 2-1 win over Bloemfontein Celtic.
SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
P2 W1 D0 L1 GF2 GA2
Sekhukhune have a 50 per cent success rate from their two visits to this stage of the competition, both of which have been since 2023.
They defeated Chippa United 2-1 on their way to the final three years ago, with a goal inside the first minute from Elias Mokwana setting them on their way. They lost the decider that year to Pirates.
They were back in the quarterfinals last season but went down 1-0 to Sundowns in a tight contest that was won in extra time by The Brazilians.
TS GALAXY
P2 W1 D0 L1 GF2 GA3
Galaxy are the only previous winners of the Nedbank Cup remaining in this year’s field after a stunning performance on debut in 2019 as they became the first, and to date only, second-tier side to lift the trophy with victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the final.
They have been back to the quarterfinals once before since then, but were unable to recreate the magic.
They faced second-tier Cape Umoya United in the last eight in 2019, winning 2-1 thanks in part to a Zakhele Lepasa penalty.
They came up against Chippa United in their second visit to this stage in 2024 and this time lost 2-0 at home.
Galaxy will feel their tie against third-tier opposition is a real chance to make a second semifinal.