Marumo Gallants F.C. will be looking for revenge as they host AmaZulu FC in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday 15 February.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Gallants have already improved upon their performance in last season’s Nedbank Cup, where they were knocked out in the preliminary round by Platinum City Rovers.
They will be looking to return to the final with their last and only appearance coming in 2022, where they were beaten in heartbreaking fashion as Mamelodi Sundowns bagged the winning goal in extra time.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have struggled in the Betway Premiership this season and sit in 14th place, four points above the relegation zone.
It's a massive night for Stellenbosch FC and Steve Barker.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 13, 2025
They take on Polokwane City in the #NedbankCup with Barker set to be in charge of his 300th top-flight match as a coach pic.twitter.com/TgWLYJmEMp
They will be without midfielder Siyabulela Shai, who picked up a red card in their Nedbank Cup round of 32 win against Pretoria Callies.
AmaZulu will enter the clash with the mental advantage, having beaten Gallants comfortably 2-0 at home last week in the Betway Premiership.
Usuthu sit seventh on the Betway Premiership log, only two points behind fourth-placed TS Galaxy after securing seven out of a possible nine points from their last three league matches.
They will have their focus set on reaching the final of the tournament for the first time since 2010 after falling to Orlando Pirates in last year’s quarterfinals.
WHAT WAS SAID
AmaZulu co-head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi:
“We are on the right track. But obviously, we are taking the Nedbank Cup very seriously. The reason we are doing that is because I think it's one step forward for us. We have to make sure that we win the Cup and compete in Africa.
"It is not going to be an easy one, we must be honest. There is a difference when we are playing a team in the first round and second round because of the space in between but when we are playing a team [last] week and we are playing the same team this week, we have to dig deep as a team.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marumo Gallants - Despite their struggles in front of goal this season, Diala Manaka is the danger man that AmaZulu will have to look out for. The veteran has scored three times in 14 appearances in the Betway Premiership this season, contributing just less than a quarter of his side’s 13 league goals. He also has one assist to his name so far this season.
AmaZulu FC - Rowan Human has proven himself to be a threat this season. The 24-year-old midfielder has scored three goals and registered four assists in the Betway Premiership. He will certainly look to involve his teammates and add his own name to the scoresheet on Saturday.
HEAD TO HEAD: (Last five meetings)
Matches - 5
Maruma Gallants wins - 1
AmaZulu FC wins - 2
Draws - 2