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PREVIEW: The Nedbank Cup is heating up

The Nedbank Cup is heating up and some of that Ke Yona spirit is alive and well, but the big fan favourites have progressed to challenge for top honours.

Chiefs
Image copyright - Steve Haag Sports

The Nedbank Cup is heating up and some of that Ke Yona spirit is alive and well, but the big fan favourites have progressed to challenge for top honours.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

It is still the round of 32, and there are some tasty encounters we can dip our slips into. Friday sees an unorthodox KZN Derby taking place in the form of Uthongathi clashing with Clinton Larsen’s Summerfield Dynamos, followed by Baroka travelling to the Western Cape to face Stellenbosch. Meanwhile, Saturday kicks off with another humdinger when the Spice People, Royal AM, welcome Cape Town City to the East Coast, and finally, in a repeat of the 2019 Cup final, Kaizer Chiefs seek redemption against TS Galaxy.

Friday 11 February

Uthongathi 6/10 | Draw 11/4 | Summerfield Dynamos 44/10 (15:00)

With both AmaZulu and Golden Arrows dropping out of the Nedbank Cup to Orlando Pirates and TTM respectively, KZN still has representation in the form of up-and-coming NFD side Uthongathi and Clinton Larsen’s Summerfield Dynamos. An unusual KZN Derby to say the least, but one I hope to witness more of in the future. The year kicked off in fine fashion for Summerfield with two wins and two draws, but recently fell short in a 4-1 loss to Durban Pioneers however still remain on top of the log. Uthongathi on the other hand sit sixth in the National First Division with just one goal in their last five fixtures, defeating Jomo Cosmos on penalties in the preliminary round of the cup. The odds might suggest an easy victory for the home team but put nothing past the log leaders to get a victory. I got my money on an upset victory, seeing Summerfield Dynamos progress to the next round at 47/20.

Stellenbosch 13/20 | Draw 23/10 | Baroka 48/10 (18:00)

Stellenbosch started of the season with true intent and desire with the results following, but in recent fixtures before the international break, things have not been going their way. On the flipside, Baroka have been poor all the way through – 13 points from 17 fixtures in the league leaves all the great work they’re doing at the compound in Limpopo just about worthless. Just like TS Galaxy, they fight relegation and all their focus on a cup campaign would rather be spent on surviving the drop. Mindsets matter, among a host of other variable, but for that I will get strongly behind Stellies to get the job done during 90 minutes at 13/20.

Saturday 12 November

Royal AM 8/10 | Draw 22/10 | Cape Town City 33/10 (15:00)

Making headlines is what Royal AM do best, but do not overlook their football, and quality of players. The acquisition of former Mamelodi Sundown’s defender Ricardo Nascimento on a free transfer is massive for the “newly-promoted” side. Bolstering the core of the team is vital after some additions to the strike force. Cape Town City have done a little business themselves, and we can expect the same goal rush from the Citizens as we always do. This is bound to be a goal fest with the way both sides directly attack the goal relentlessly, and for that I am back Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals at 37/20.

Kaizer Chiefs 9/20 | Draw 13/10 | TS Galaxy 6/1 (18:00)

Kaizer Chiefs will begin their campaign for a title against a team who caused arguably the biggest upset in Nedbank Cup history, TS Galaxy, with Stuart Baxter at the helm I might add. Amakhosi’s recent record in the cup is not one to be proud of, with their last two fixtures being losses to Highlands Park via penalties and Richards Bay causing a raucous at FNB Stadium with a 1-2 victory. I am unsure of where TS Galaxy’s mindset will be coming into this tie as they face a relegation battle in the DStv Premiership, and I am sure manager Sead Ramovic would rather want to focus their efforts in staying put in the country’s top promotion. While they may have not made any significant new editions to the squad in the January window, Chiefs are stacked with talent and have seemingly found a new confidence about them, but the league campaign is out of reach so going for broke in the Nedbank Cup will be tantamount to recording a successful season.  Get strongly behind Kaizer Chiefs to serve up some ice-cold revenge on the (-1) Handicap at 27/20.

MULTIPLE @ 12/1

Summerfield Dynamos To Progress 47/20
Stellenbosch Win 13/20
Kaizer Chiefs (-1) Handicap 27/20

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