Last week, the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 fixtures began as defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns progressed past Marumo Gallants thanks to a Peter Shalulile hat-trick. On Wednesday, 8 March, AmaZulu FC – having already reached a cup final in the form of the MTN8 earlier this season, will face Dondol Stars, the giant-killers of the last round as SuperSport United were well and truly slayed. Kaizer Chiefs drew lower league opposition in Casric Stars, but their opponents are having a great season and could even be a DStv Premiership club by the time next season starts! Their archrivals Orlando Pirates will be up against another second-tier outfit in Venda Football Academy, while there is also a sumptuous KwaZulu-Natal Derby to look forward to between Golden Arrows and Royal AM. Another topflight clash awaits as TS Galaxy host in-form Stellenbosch FC. Below, Soccer Laduma previews all the matches, with a particular focus on the Glamour Boys as they look to end a trophy drought which could extend to at least October if they were to lose on Sunday. There have been a fair share of shock results involving the Naturena-based outfit in the past. Will we see another upset or will the cup runs for Motsepe Foundation Championship and ABC Motsepe League sides come to an end? An exciting weekend awaits…
Kaizer Chiefs v Casric Stars
12 March, FNB Stadium, 18h00
Background
One of the round's most intriguing fixtures sees the country's best-supported club face off against Motsepe Foundation Championship promotion challengers Casric Stars. They currently sit third in the standings, trailing log leaders Polokwane City by three points with eight games to go. With Paulus Masehe and Thabo Nthethe on the coaching staff (along with co-owner/ head coach Bucs Mthombeni) and some PSL experience sprinkled across their squad, this is going to be far from a walkover for the Soweto giants. Arthur Zwane will want to avoid losing to a lower league opponent in this competition having suffered famous Nedbank Cup losses to TS Galaxy and Richards Bay FC in 2019 and 2021 respectively, not to mention the 2010 loss to FC Cape Town and that very famous one against University of Pretoria. Amakhosi are in improved form of late, following up three straight losses with just one defeat in their last six matches. Stars, meanwhile, have drawn four of their last five matches to lose some ground on Polokwane City and Cape Town Spurs, but they're 15 matches without losing and are a solid, consistent side. For a club that was in the ABC Motsepe League last season (finishing fifth in the B Steam in Gauteng), they've worked wonders this season after buying Free State Stars' status. No doubt the main goal is to win promotion to the elite division and a good run in this competition may derail those ambitions, but rest assured the Free State-based side will give it their all on Sunday knowing that all eyes will be on this fixture and that they may be scouted for bigger opportunities. The pressure is on Kaizer Chiefs and the result may well depend on how they handle that pressure, but an upset here cannot be ruled out…
Key battles
Sifama v Ngezana
This fixture has some added spice in that two Amakhosi loanees could face their parent club. Considering that former Chiefs head of development Sundra Govinder is at Casric Stars, it isn't a shock that attacking midfielder Rahim Milazi and forward Keletso Sifama were persuaded to join on loan. Both players were selected in the South African CHAN squad in 2022 to face Comoros and may have big careers ahead of them. Assuming that the loanees are allowed to play, Sifama is one who could hurt the Soweto giants. Having started a match under Ernst Middendorp against Mamelodi Sundowns, his pace and power on the flank are ideal for a counter-attacking approach. For this match, the home side are without Reeve Frosler and Dillan Solomons at right back due to injury and another blow has seemingly been dealt with Zitha Macheke ruled out due to an injury of his own. For Zwane, he will need to find a solution. Siyabonga Ngezana may be the man to shift out to the flank with Njabulo Ngcobo starting in the heart of the defence. Ngezana has recently had a fine game centrally against rivals Orlando Pirates and helped his side to a clean sheet (and scored the winning goal) against the Natal Rich Boyz. It won't be ideal to move him out of the middle, but there doesn't seem to be any other choice.
Shabalala v Abubakar
This encounter gives a chance for now 29-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Mumuni Abubakar to show he is still capable of playing in the topflight, having had a rumoured trial with Liverpool in January 2012 and later earning himself a move to Mamelodi Sundowns from Edubiase United in his homeland. A former Ghana U20 captain, big things were expected of the player at Masandawana. They never materialised and he spent plenty of time out on loan before finally establishing himself in the DStv Premiership during the 2020/21 season at Black Leopards even if that campaign ended in relegation. Abubakar scored in the last round in a 4-0 win at ABC Motsepe League side Mkhambathi and will be crucial for his aggression and physicality in the defensive midfield role. He was only on the bench for the last Casric Stars match against Magesi FC (a 0-0 draw), so he will be fully fresh for this one. He spoke after the draw about the appeal of facing Chiefs in this match, saying, "It's kind of a blessing to play against Chiefs because it'll be live on TV. So far, we have only had the opportunity to play one live game, so playing against Chiefs will give us the exposure to excel and tell the whole nation who Casric is. We are going to give them a run for their money; we promise on that one. We are very motivated." For Chiefs, one of the standout performers in recent weeks has been Mduduzi Shabalala. Trusted to play a number 10 role, high up the pitch where he is almost a second striker at times, the youngster likes to move into wider areas or the right half-space to get himself space away from markers. He was sublime at times in the last match, slipping both Christian Saile and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana through on goal for clear-cut chances in the first half. He should have scored himself with a close-range shot flashed wide. With Zwane drawing comparisons to players like Thabo Mooki, Shabalala has to keep his feet on the ground and continue to perform consistently.
Zwane has to juggle his XI, again
Much to the coach's frustration, he has not been able to field a consistent line-up in recent games due to injuries. Frosler, Solomons, Khama Billiat and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo were already on the treatment table for the long-term and then a knock to the hip for Ashley Du Preez in the Soweto Derby saw him ruled out for the last match. To make matters worse, Saile will have to serve a suspension for four yellow cards and Kwinika has an injury concern. Who replaces those players? If Du Preez is back, he could take the spot of Saile down the right wing. Kgaogelo Sekgota is someone who hasn't started a match since the World Cup break and could be handed an opportunity. Kamohelo Mahlatsi is another option to start in Saile's right winger spot. At the back, it's highly unlikely we will see Austin Dube partner Edmilson Dove as both are left-footers, so Njabulo Ngcobo could be handed a very raw starting place. There are also some young players who will hope to get minutes, from the bench at least. Sabelo Radebe has barely had a kick this season and Samkelo Zwane has had to take a backseat after a run of starts after the Qatar World Cup. Wandile Duba is also awaiting his first start in a Glamour Boys shirt. One player who needs a goal is Bimenyimana, who hasn't scored in 2023 and has been getting booed by a certain section of the Chiefs fans.
Orlando Pirates v Venda Football Academy
11 March, Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium, 20h00
Background
After their straightforward 2-0 win at All Stars FC in the last round, it's been a favourable draw for Bucs in the Last 16. Venda Football Academy are just five points above the relegation zone in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and have lost three of their last six league encounters. Despite the Soweto giants' late freak defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, they're in great form and are scoring goals for fun, by PSL standards! With this match taking place in Bloemfontein and around 20 000 supporters expected to be in attendance, we can look forward to plenty of singing from some of the loudest football lovers in the country. Pirates have some defensive considerations to make as Tapelo Xoki is suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards and Innocent Maela serves the second of his two-match ban for a red card in the Soweto Derby. Nkosinathi Sibisi is back and could partner Sandile Mthethwa, whilst Olisa Ndah is doubtful having not even made the squad against Swallows FC after his costly own goal in the derby. Venda Football Academy are coached by Joel Masutha and his experience will be key in making his side hard to beat and cutting off spaces between the lines, where the Buccaneers tend to thrive.
Key battle
Siyasi v Pirates' left side
For the Sea Robbers, it is not certain exactly how they will line up. In the Soweto Derby, Maela played at left back with Vincent Pule in front of him as a left winger. Against Swallows FC last Friday, it was Deon Hotto at left back, naturally bombing forward constantly, with Thembinkosi Lorch in a narrow left-sided role. Whichever duo is picked down that flank, Venda FC are going to have their work cut out for them with how much interchanging the players do and their ability in tight spaces. Hotto revelled in a deeper role against the Dube Birds with the game in-front of him and talented ball-players to hold onto the ball until he had time to join on the overlap. At right back for the away side is expected to be on-loan Sundowns defender Bongolwethu Siyasi. A product of the Ajax Cape Town Academy, he was always fast and excellent on the ball in his youth days. He excelled in both a centre back and right back role and regularly played in older age groups to challenge him. He joined the Tshwane giants a couple of years ago and got handed some minutes in the Carling Black Label Cup during the World Cup hiatus. He moved on loan in January to gain experience and was a starter in the last round of the Nedbank Cup. Onke Moletshe could be the winger in front of Siyasi and between them, they will face a great learning experience defensively. The defender will want to impress Rhulani Mokwena and earn involvement in the Sundowns first team next season.
OTHER FIXTURES TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Dondol Stars v AmaZulu FC – 8 March, TUT Stadium, 19h30
Sekhukhune United v Cape Town Spurs – 10 March, New Peter Mokaba Stadium, 19h30
Golden Arrows v Royal AM – 11 March, Princess Magogo Stadium, 15h00
Chippa United v Mpheni Home Defenders – 11 March, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 15h00
TS Galaxy v Stellenbosch FC – 12 March, Mbombela Stadium, 15h00
A great story to be told
The other ties throw up some excellent storylines. We have Brandon Truter against Shaun Bartlett with both sides largely performing well of late and enjoying improved second halves of the season. Sekhukhune United played a full strength XI against ABC Motsepe League opponents in the last round and won 6-0. They are taking this competition deadly seriously and won't take any chances against a Cape Town Spurs side that has climbed to second on the log. Although Spurs drew 1-1 at Hungry Lions in their last match, on-fire forward Ashley Cupido scored a penalty to take himself to 14 league goals. Alongside him is Boitumelo Radiopane, who has scored five goals in his last eight league fixtures. Chippa United have a home match they should win to gain momentum – one possible benefit for relegation-battling clubs is to regain confidence and form in the cups – and we also see a chance for Romain Folz to reach a second final. His side lost 1-0 to Pirates in the MTN8 and with such ambitious owners at Usuthu, lifting some silverware in the near future is paramount. Golden Arrows and Royal AM will have designs on a deep run in this competition with their high-profile owners watching closely, whilst Sead Ramovic's TS Galaxy side, who have been battling a lot of controversy off the field, host Stellies, who are five unbeaten and ended Sundowns' winning run in the league last Sunday. However, the most eyeballs will be on Chiefs, especially since it will be the very last game of the round. Opposition supporters will hope for an untimely cup exit and the opportunities for banter that will bring. Amakhosi fans will expect nothing less than a convincing win by a large margin. There is arguably more for the Naturena-based side to lose than to gain in this fixture with any win shrugged off as being down to facing a team from a division below. Nevertheless, should they get the job done, they will be into the quarterfinals and just two matches from playing in another cup final. It is nearly eight years without a trophy and reaching a full decade without silverware is unthinkable. Like Manchester United, lifting a cup under their new, modern coach can feel like a springboard to future success in the league or continental cups. It's a must-win match. By Sunday, we could have the country's Big Three teams in the hat for the quarterfinals and quite possibly five other DStv Premiership clubs.
