Thursday night’s Nedbank Cup last 16 draw dished up some mouth-watering prospects, in particular, the Cape Town City versus Orlando Pirates match-up.
Pirates are currently second on the league table with City in fifth spot, just two points back, meaning that one of the PSL’s big guns will be eliminated before the quarter-final stage.
Bucs managed to beat City 1-0 in a first-round league encounter in Orlando while last season’s two league matches both ended in draws, showing that there’s been little to separate the two clubs.
The only other all-PSL draw will see Free State Stars hosting Chippa United.
Pirates’ Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs have been handed what on paper looks an easier encounter, although with cup football always ready to provide upsets, Amakhosi certainly won’t be taking their home game with National First Division (NFD) side Stellenbosch FC lightly.
Tshwane giants Mamelodi Sundowns will also be heavy favourites in a home tie with Eastern Cape Second Division (third tier) club EC Bees.
Bloemfontein Celtic, who knocked out defending champions SuperSport United in the previous round, have been paired with NFD outfit Richards Bay, while Ubuntu Cape Town, who shocked Polokwane City in the last 32, will be eyeing another chance at a giant-killing when they travel to Durban to face AmaZulu.
The dates and venues for the matches are still to be announced by the Premier Soccer League.
The full Nedbank Cup last 16 Draw:
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC
- Cape Town City vs Orlando Pirates
- Royal Eagles vs Maritzburg United
- AmaZulu vs Ubuntu Cape Town
- Free State Stars vs Chippa United
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs EC Bees
- Bloemfontein Celtic vs Richards Bay FC
- Baroka FC vs Steenburg United
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