The dust has settled from the preliminary rounds of the Nedbank Cup, and the stage is set for an explosive Round of 32 filled with exciting matchups and underdog challenges. From familiar giants to rising stars, these fixtures promise entertainment and plenty of surprises. Let us take a closer look at some of the key clashes to watch:
Nedbank Cup Fixtures
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
NB La Masia vs Mamelodi Sundowns:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
- Debutants La Masia take on four-time champions Sundowns in a David vs Goliath battle. Sundowns hold an intimidating 17-game winning streak against lower league sides since 2008, but can La Masia create a historic upset?
SuperSport United vs Cape Town City:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
- Third-placed SuperSport United clash with second-placed City in a titanic Premiership encounter with a Cup twist. Both sides have faced off in major finals before, but City have not reached the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals yet.
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Highlands Park vs Sekhukhune United:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
- Last year’s finalists Sekhukhune United aim to go one better against former topflight side Highlands Park, now competing in the third tier. Can fallen giants Highlands rise to the occasion?
University of Pretoria vs Cape Town Spurs:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Tuks Stadium
- Both teams have tasted Nedbank Cup final heartache – AmaTuks as runners-up in 2009 and Spurs (then Ajax Cape Town) losing in 2015. Struggling Spurs seek redemption amidst AmaTuks’ consistent second-tier presence.
Thursday. 22 February 2024
AmaZulu vs Royal AM:
- Time: February 22nd, 19:00
- Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
- A potentially explosive KwaZulu-Natal derby! Usuthu boast six final appearances but remain trophyless, while Royal AM, semi-finalists in 2022, look to build on their recent success.
Friday, 23 February 2024
Lamontville Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Mpumalanga Stadium
- Can Arrows prevent history from repeating itself against Galaxy, the only second-tier team to win the Nedbank Cup (2019)? Head-to-head favors Galaxy, but both sides clash in the league five days earlier.
Stellenbosch FC vs Pretoria Callies:
- Time: 19:00 SAST
- Stadium: Danie Craven Stadium
- Carling Knockout champions Stellenbosch welcome struggling second-tier side Callies. Both have reached the Nedbank Cup semi-finals recently, can Callies find form and upset the favorites?
Saturday, 24 February 2024
SAFA Mpumalanga vs Orlando Pirates:
- Time: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
- The identity of the SAFA team remains unknown, but they face defending champions Pirates in the iconic Mbombela Stadium. Can the underdogs spring a surprise against the Buccaneers?
FC Ravens vs Spain FC:
- Time: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
- Two ABC Motsepe League teams battle for a Last 16 spot. Ravens host Spain FC, but moved the game to Durban due to limited stadiums. Third-tier hopes collide in this clash.
JDR Stars vs Hungry Lions:
- Date: February 24th, 15:00
- Stadium: Giant Stadium
- Lions roar into this encounter with a recent 2-1 league win over Stars. Their dominant head-to-head (four wins from five) suggests they’ll be favorites, but can Stars roar back on home soil?
Platinum City Rovers vs Moroka Swallows:
- Time: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Isak Steyl Stadium
- 2009 champions Swallows, struggling since then, face a potential banana skin against second-tier City Rovers. With a potential squad overhaul ongoing, Swallows’ form is unpredictable, adding intrigue to this clash.
Richards Bay vs Polokwane City:
- Time: 18:00 SAST
- Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
- Both sides, promoted to the elite league recently, chase Nedbank Cup glory. City secured a 1-0 win over Richards Bay in October, but they meet again in Polokwane just before this cup tie, making it a close contest.
Sunday, 25 February 2024
Maritzburg United vs Paarl United:
- Time: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
- Former finalists Maritzburg, now in the second tier, welcome debutants Paarl United. While history favors Maritzburg, Paarl United’s unknown qualities make this one an exciting prospect.
NC Professionals vs Chippa United:
- Time: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium
- Third-tier NC Professionals host 2021 finalists Chippa United in Upington. Chippa have stumbled against lower-league sides before, making this a potential upset waiting to happen.
D’General vs Madridtas:
- Date: 15:00 SAST
- Stadium: Isak Steyl Stadium
- Two ABC Motsepe League sides, Free State’s D’General and Limpopo’s Madridtas, clash in Vanderbijlpark. Both are Nedbank Cup debutants, ensuring at least two SAFA teams reach the Last 16.
Kaizer Chiefs vs Milford FC:
- Time: 18:00 SAST
- Stadium: FNB Stadium
- Chiefs seek their first Nedbank Cup title since 2013 against second-tier Milford FC, last seen in the competition as amateurs in 2016. Chiefs hold the unwanted record of most topflight exits to lower-league sides since 2008, but can they avoid an upset against the determined underdogs?
Do not miss out on the magic of the Nedbank Cup! Witness exciting football, passionate rivalries, and the potential for giant-killing upsets as these teams vie for a place in the next round.
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