Reaching the last eight of a cup competition comprising of 32 teams is no child's play. More so considering this is the Nedbank Cup we are talking about, long heralded as South Africa's version of the FA Cup. It is a tournament where teams from the second and third tiers are pitted against the big boys of domestic football, a banana skin is always lurking on the horizon. Ask Kaizer Chiefs. Mzansi's erstwhile cup kings were booted out of this year's edition by no less a side than Milford FC, who were founded in 2012, a mere three years before Amakhosi last tasted cup glory, and who now find themselves in a relegation dogfight in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. University of Pretoria are the last non-topflight outfit still fighting the good fight but will be up against it facing Mamelodi Sundowns. Stellenbosch FC at home against SuperSport United should be a cracker, while the prospect of seeing one of TS Galaxy and Chippa United in the semifinals is an interesting one. Can AmaZulu FC pull off what would be considered an upset against defending champions Orlando Pirates? Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina brings you this preview...
University of Pretoria v Mamelodi Sundowns
12 April, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 19h00
This Tshwane derby features two sides on long unbeaten runs. Something has to give at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday! AmaTuks are chasing promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and sit just a point behind Clinton Larsen's Magesi with seven rounds left. Tlisane Motaung's side have several Sundowns loanees in their ranks and are 16 matches unbeaten since November. In the other corner is a Sundowns team who are without defeat in 18 matches with an incredible 15 clean sheets during that streak. However, after their match on Tuesday at Cape Town Spurs, they have netted just eight goals in their last eight matches – a very uncharacteristic scoring dip.
An opportunity to learn
Tlisane Motaung – Tuks coach
"The preparations have been going according to plan. We have been preparing well for all our matches that we have played, and the ones that are still coming. Mamelodi Sundowns is one of the big teams on the continent, if not the biggest team. They have great players, a great coach and great technical team. For us, we see this as an opportunity to learn and assess ourselves as a team on where we are in terms of competing against a great team on the continent. The pressure is not on our players. The players know that we are going there to assess ourselves, and to learn as much as possible from the great players, great club, technical team and their coach and the rest will take care of itself."
Motaung doesn't have a lot of work to do
Phelelani Mpangase – Former Sundowns defender
"What I have learnt about football over the years is that you must never undermine your opponents. This is football, and football has disappointed a lot of people in many instances. I think you still remember when Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in a World Cup game and many people never saw that coming. There are too many surprises in football. Who would have thought that Milford FC would beat Kaizer Chiefs and go on to lose 4-0 against Hungry Lions? One thing I think will happen to Tuks players is that they will be very motivated for playing against Sundowns. Sometimes, you get such chances of playing against a big team like Sundowns once in a lifetime and that makes you want to put all the effort in your game.
Coach (Tlisane) Motaung doesn't have a lot of work to do in terms of motivating the players. Already the players are motivated. I believe that some of the players will go there with the intention of impressing Sundowns. In their team, Tuks have a former Sundowns player in Samuel Julies, and he has been doing well. There's also (Thabang) Sibanyoni who has also been doing well and I do understand that he is on loan from Sundowns. For me, it's going to be a very tough game. A lot of teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship are hard running sides and that could work to the advantage of Tuks. We know Sundowns prefer to play good football and knocking the ball around and that's what could help them against Tuks because if they run a lot like they do in their league they will end up getting tired. It's not going to be an easy game, but I believe that it's going to be a good game of football. Sundowns will use their experience to advance to the semifinals."
KEY BATTLE: Teboho Mokoena vs Camagu Mdevulana
So many Derby matches are settled in the engine room and this one could be no different. Former Black Poison playmaker Camagu Mdevulana has excelled for AmaTuks and the left-footed central midfielder recently earned praise from Rhulani Mokwena. Considering he is on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, there will be a big point to prove in this match. Up against him will be "Tebza" Mokoena, fresh off an incredible Africa Cup of Nations. The latter has been playing a little bit more advanced in recent weeks, at least when Bongani Zungu was fit. With a vicious long-range shot from both open play and freekicks, he is an obvious key man for this Cup quarterfinal.
Mdevulana has played in several positions but will most likely face off directly against the Bafana Bafana star. AmaTuks coach Tlisane Motaung will also have a big point to prove. Mokwena recently hailed the CAF A License student to the Sundowns website, saying: "I've seen him come through the ranks as a youth coach and in the varsity leagues. He's done an incredible job to fight and develop to become one of the promising coaches in the country". University of Pretoria are famed for a direct, long ball game and Mdevulana will be key to pick up second balls and serve the ball wide for the wingers to pump crosses into the Masandwana box.
Stellenbosch FC v SuperSport United
13 April, Danie Craven Stadium, 15h00
This match pits Gavin Hunt against Steve Barker. Both men are current students on the CAF A Coaching License taking place so expect the rivalry to be fierce! Both coaches know the threat posed by the other on transitions and may be more comfortable to give the ball to their opponents. The form of the two clubs is contrasting. Stellenbosch have lifted a trophy, sit in second place and are 20 matches unbeaten in all competitions right now. SuperSport have dropped down to sixth in the table and have won just once in the last 11 fixtures with seven draws in their last 10 games. Added to that, it's been an incredible 24 matches since they last kept a clean sheet!
Hopefully the Nedbank Cup is next
Devin Titus – Stellenbosch FC midfielder
"The preparations have been good and we're looking forward to the quarterfinal clash hoping to make it to the semifinal, and then the final, but first we have to focus on the quarterfinal. SuperSport United are always a tough opposition, and hopefully the (weather) conditions will play in our favour and we can get the win. The main objective for me is to win games for the team, whether I score or assist or not, as long the team wins. I want to help the club win more trophies, and with the Carling Knockout already in our bag, hopefully the Nedbank Cup is next. If we win against SuperSport and I don't score or assist, that's fine, as long as we win and progress to the next round."
That team is unstoppable
Bennet Chenene – Former SuperSport United midfielder
"I think it's going to be an entertaining game, but I am worried for SuperSport United because Stellenbosch has been doing well. Those boys can run and seeing how the weather has been in the Western Cape these last few days, I don't think SuperSport stand a chance. Stellenbosch has been on form and it's going to be difficult for SuperSport. If I have to make a prediction, I will go for a Stellenbosch win on this one. Stellenbosch has already won a cup this season with the Carling Knockout and they have a winning mentality. They will want to do well in the Nedbank Cup as well. I know Gavin Hunt is a good coach who also wants to win trophies, but I don't think he will get it right against Stellenbosch because that team is unstoppable. It won't be easy for Hunt and his team because it is Stellenbosch we are talking about here and not any other ordinary team."
KEY BATTLE: Iqraam Rayners vs Ime Okon
You just can't look past Iqraam Rayners as the key factor in this cup tie. He won the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament last year and is facing his former club. The speed merchant recently scored for Bafana Bafana and will have a point to prove to Gavin Hunt, who either used the striker in a wide role or as an impact substitute for the most part. Since his return to the Winelands, Rayners has scored 24 goals in 39 matches for Barker's side having netted 15 in 14 fixtures in the 2022-23 season after rejoining from Matsatsantsa last January. In the last round, he assisted four goals in the 6-1 victory vs Milford FC. Tasked with stopping him, and earning a first clean sheet potentially since October, is 20-year-old Ime Okon. The defender is eligible to represent both Nigeria and South Africa and was named in Hugo Broos' provisional squad for the AFCON. He has been regularly linked with a transfer to Danish side FC Midtjylland and SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews confirmed he could be sold in July. Okon's speed compared to partner Thulani Hlatshwayo will be key. Okon captained SuperSport in the CAF Confederations Cup clash with Future FC and has largely kept Siyanda Xulu on the bench this season. An exciting and intense duel awaits in windy Stellenbosch.
AmaZulu v Orlando Pirates
13 April, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 18h00
Usuthu vs Bucs is a mouth-watering tie to look forward to. AmaZulu were winless in six matches since the AFCON break prior to taking a crucial three points at Cape Town City on Sunday. At home, they're unbeaten in six fixtures with three wins. Pirates, meanwhile, have only lost once in nine matches (2-1 away to Sekhukhune United), but their away league form is concerning. It's just three wins in 12 DStv Premiership fixtures on their travels but they are unbeaten in their last 13 trips to face AmaZulu!
It's a do or die
Charlie Hlalele – Former AmaZulu midfielder
"It's going to be an interesting game because both these clubs are big in South African football. If it was a league game, I was going to predict a draw but it's a cup competition and there has to be a winner. As much as I love AmaZulu, having played for the club, I think Orlando Pirates is going to win this one. Pirates will want to win the trophy for a third successive time. Usuthu have been inconsistent. I know that they will want to do well in this competition to turn their season around, but Pirates won't allow them to do that. Pirates tend to rise to the occasion in these kinds of games and I don't think that will stop against AmaZulu. It's a do or die. They will be going to Durban with one thing on their minds and that will be to progress to the semifinals of the competition. Their record against AmaZulu isn't bad and that's why I believe they have the upper hand.
Pirates come from morale-boosting massive win against Golden Arrows where they scored seven goals, while AmaZulu have been inconsistent in getting the results. Pirates are so motivated whereas I see AmaZulu as a team like Arrows in how they play and their players. If Pirates go to AmaZulu with the same mentality they had for the Arrows game, they shouldn't struggle to win. There is a possibility that Pirates will score many goals against AmaZulu as well. In terms of quality, if you compare Pirates and AmaZulu, Pirates have better players than AmaZulu. I'm not taking anything away from AmaZulu and their players, because they also have good players and they are also professional, but Pirates are superior in terms of quality. Pirates have quality and experienced players. Pirates players understand each other very well and they are a moving train. From the back, midfield, up front and on the bench they have quality players."
My advice to the players
James Mothibi – Former Orlando Pirates striker
"I personally think that Orlando Pirates will beat AmaZulu to progress to the semifinals. I like AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu and he is a very good guy who is vibrant, and I know this because I always chat to him. He is a young club president who is always at peace with everyone but with the form that Pirates has been enjoying of late, I think they will beat AmaZulu. I don't want to talk much but Pirates is on form. My advice to the players is that they forget about the Arrows game and must focus on the Nedbank Cup game. You aren't playing for points on this one, and if you lose, you wash your jersey. As a former Pirates player, I'm happy with the progress that has been made by the club. We have to give credit to the management, coaches and the technical team, and everyone who has been behind the club's success. But we must not lose focus. Go to Durban with one thing in mind, and that's to win to progress to the semifinals. We are going to win. Against Arrows, Pirates were very good tactically."
KEY BATTLE: Tshegofatso Mabasa vs Taariq Fielies
There are numerous key duels in this match, for example skilful Relebohile Mofokeng versus the aggressive Thembela Sikhakhane. However, it's impossible to look past Tshegofatso Mabasa right now. He currently leads the Golden Boot charts in the PSL with 10 strikes to his name. He scored six times for Moroka Swallows in the first half of the season, including a brace against AmaZulu! Since returning to Jose Riveiro's squad, he has seven goals to his name – four in the league and three in the Nedbank Cup. Should he score again in this match, he will be a contender for the Player of the Tournament award. With Evidence Makgopa an injury doubt and both Zakhele Lepasa and Kermit Erasmus somewhat out of favour, the man nicknamed "My Lukaku" is a certain starter. One of the players tasked with stopping him will be Taariq Fielies.
The former Cape Town City man has excelled at Usuthu, often playing in a back three with Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Abbubaker Mobara. It's not clear what shape Pablo Franco Martin will use in this match but limiting space for Mabasa will be crucial. Fielies has helped Amazulu to clean sheets against Royal AM and Sekhukhune United already in the Nedbank Cup and scored the winner in the Carling Knockout Cup against Kaizer Chiefs for his former club. He doesn't often make tackles but when he does, he wins them 94% of the time – an astonishingly high proportion.
TS Galaxy v Chippa United
14 April, Mbombela Stadium, 15h00
The Rockets are in top form with nine wins in their last 12 home matches in the league. In their last seven matches at home, we've seen them score two or more goals. Chippa are winless in seven away matches in the DSTV Premiership with a paltry two goals scored during that run.
You cannot cheat football
Orebotse Mongae – TS Galaxy midfielder
"The preparations for the cup match are going very well and we are very much focused on the job at hand. We are planning to go all the way in the competition, but it won't be easy, and it requires hard work. We are prepared to give it our all. We really believe that the team can win this competition – we can do it again. What is working for us as the team is that we put in a lot of hard work on anything we do. It all starts in training with everyone pulling in the same direction, as well as the support that we get from the club, the management, and everybody in the team. We are all putting in the work, and when you do that, you will reap the rewards. You cannot cheat football. There are no shortcuts in football. Playing under coach Sead Ramovic is really a great experience. A lot of players have improved from working with him, and I am one of those players. My game has also improved because of the assistance that we are getting from him. I have learned a lot from him, I'm still learning, and I am still going to learn more from him."
It's going to be an achievement for us
Justice Chabalala – Chippa United defender
"The preparations for the match have been very good and we are looking forward to the game. Everyone is looking forward to playing (against TS Galaxy) and that's the kind of spirit we have in the team. It's been raining in the Eastern Cape but that didn't stop us from training and the rain didn't disturb us in our preparations. There is only one team that must win the match and that team is us. We are ready to beat TS Galaxy to progress to the next stage of the competition. Coaches Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo are very good coaches. They are young and they have a bright future as coaches. They have showed us that everyone who is willing to work hard stands a good chance of playing under them. The fact that they have been in the game for long makes them understand the players and how they react to certain situations. The good thing about our team is that everyone is willing to fight for the club. It would mean a lot for Chippa United to win the Nedbank Cup. I remember the team played in the final against Marumo Gallants a few seasons ago but didn't win the trophy. It would be great for us to win the trophy for the chairman who has been very supportive to us. It's going to be an achievement for us. The mood in camp is very high because we come from back-to-back victories against Cape Town Spurs and Kaizer Chiefs."
KEY BATTLE: Samir Nurkovic vs Justice Chabalala
The Serbian striker has been reborn somewhat under his countryman at TS Galaxy. Sead Ramovic has not offered Nurkovic any special treatment and only six of his 20 appearances have been starts. After easing into life with the Rockets, "Kokota Piano" has netted eight goals in his last 13 appearances. That sounds like a good run but if we look at the minutes played in the DStv Premiership of late, he has netted six goals in nine league matches and just 420 minutes of field time. Right now, it's a goal every 70 minutes on the pitch in the PSL during this hot streak. Justice Chabalala and Thabo Makhele will form the pairing that is trying to stop Nurkovic. The former has played for Orlando Pirates and has 116 top-flight appearances to his name now, making him an experienced campaigner. Chabalala has captained the Chilli Boys in recent weeks and is thriving under a simplified style of play where he isn't expected to play out from the back. With a highly impressive 68% aerial duels success rate, he is perfectly suited to dealing with Nurkovic when crosses come in. Expect a physical and aggressive battle that could go a long way to determining who makes the semifinal.
