Stellenbosch Steve Barker.
Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media
The Nedbank Cup will be in full flow this weekend and Obakeng Meletse looks at five key talking points looking ahead to the weekend fixtures.
The stand out fixture : SuperSport United vs. Orlando Pirates
Supersport United will host the defending champions Orlando Pirates at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in what will be the pick of the fixtures between the current and former holders of this competition.
Matsatsantsa a Pitori have had a tough season so far and it will come as no surprise that they need to win this competition to rescue their season.
Under the guidance of assistant coach Andre Arendse, due to head coach Gavin Hunt serving his suspension after getting red-carded in a Betway Premiership clash against Magesi FC last week, Matsatsantsa will face the uphill task of knocking out a well-oiled Bucaneers side. The Bucaneers themselves will be looking to add to their history with three consecutive wins of this competition.
Durban City packs a heavier punch than they let on.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit has already knocked out a top division side after they beat former champions TS Galaxy by 2-1 in the round of 16.
As they prepare to take on another Premierhip side, Marumo Gallants, the Banana Boys will be aiming for another huge scalp when they welcome Gallants at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday (3pm. kickoff).
City currently lead the way in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with a six-point gap with 10 matches to go and they have all the tools to spring more surprises in the Nedbank Cup.
Sekhukhune United may also get their marching orders
The Limpopo-based outfit parted ways with coach Lehlohonolo Seema on the eve of facing what will easily be their toughest opponent in Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium (8pm kick-off).
Babina Noko reached the final of this competition in 2023, and in a season that they have done fairly well still occupying fourth position in the league, their decision could come back to bite them in short term.
Sundowns must transfer their dominance into Cup competition.
For a side that has taken every challengers for a ride in the Betway Premiership for the past seven seasons, it comes as a surprise that Sundowns haven’t been as dominant in cup competitions.
The last domestic trophy triumph was in this very competition with a 2-1 win against Marumo Gallants in 2022, and moving further back, they also won another Nedbank Cup in 2020 and an MTN8 win in the 2021/22 season.
It is a total of three trophies in comparison to the seven league titles, and as important as the league title is, they also need to make up with a few of the domestic trophies to really stamp their authority as the best team in South African shores.
Could Stellies be in for a surprise second?
Steve Barker and his Stellenbosch side have another shot at taking a step closer to securing the club’s second ever top flight trophy when they host the mighty Kaizer Chiefs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (18:00 kickoff).
The Cape side won the inaugural Carling Knockout competition and despite the loss of some of their key players in the last two seasons, they continue to be a force capable of holding their own even against the top sides.
They come up against a Chiefs side also desperate for trophy success after over a decade without any silverware but one that has had the better of them in recent meetings.
Stellies haven’t been as freeflowing as they were last season, but they still have as good a chance as anyone to win this trophy.