Sekhukhune United are determined to secure their spot in the Nedbank Cup semifinals when they host underdogs Milford FC in Saturday's quarterfinal at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Kick-off: 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2_
CURRENT FORM
Babina Noko are now winless in their last two Betway Premiership matches following a 1-1 draw against Durban City on Wednesday, after a prior defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sekhukhune, who reached the 2023 Nedbank Cup final, are clear favourites to advance to the semifinals as this edge over Milford stems from their superior experience, squad quality and the guidance of Eric Tinkler, a two-time cup winner as a head coach.
Meanwhile, Milford's five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions ended with a 1-0 loss to Midlands Wanderers in the Motsepe Foundation Championship on February 28.
The Stallions, under coach Xanti Pupuma, who famously orchestrated their stunning upset victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the 2024 Nedbank Cup, will look to cause another giant-killing and build cup momentum against their top-flight opponents.
TEAM NEWS
There are no major suspension issues for either side in this Nedbank Cup fixture.
Sekhukhune United will be without defender Ryan Baartman, who has been forced into retirement at the age of 28 due to a persistent back injury, but they have been boosted by club captain Linda Mntambo's return to full first-team training after a lengthy layoff.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Sekhukhune United midfielder Lebogang Phiri
“This stage of the competition is a plus for me as an individual. I can certainly add to things that I have accomplished in my life. Going forward into this game, we are going to give it our all,” Phiri said.
“After all, we are the team that’s in the PSL top-flight, so we need to be intentional with how we go about this game. We need to make sure that we deserve to be here. We can’t show mercy. At the end of the day, they are the underdogs, and everybody is behind them. We just have to go at it.”
Milford defender Phakamani Ngxongo
“We are happy to be drawn against Sekhukhune in the quarterfinals. We are at a stage of the tournament where we have to prove who we are," Ngxongo said.
"We also want revenge against Sekhukhune because last season they beat us in the last 16 of the tournament at home, so we have a chance to get revenge.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD
PREVIOUS CUP MEETINGS
Season Cup Result Scorers
2024/25 Nedbank Cup, L16 Milford 1-2 Sekhukhune Chili; Mntambo 2
CUP RECORD
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 1 1 0 0 2 1
Milford 1 0 0 1 1 2
ALL COMPETITIONS
P W D L GF GA
Sekhukhune 1 1 0 0 2 1
Milford 1 0 0 1 1 2