The Nedbank Cup quarter-final draw was conducted last week where Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns were kept apart. Seven PSL teams and one ABC Motsepe League club entered the draw after successfully booking their places in the quarterfinals.
Saturday 15 April
Dondol Stars 10/1 | Draw 5/1 | Orlando Pirates 2/11 (15:00)
Dondol Stars co-coach Vincent Rammoni is keen to maintain the same level of confidence when his team face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup. Rammoni promised to ensure his players remain unfazed by the pedigree of Pirates.
Dondol have earned the giantkillers tag after eliminating PSL sides SuperSport United and AmaZulu from the competition, and they are looking to add Pirates to their list of casualties.
Having last made the quarter-finals in the 2020/21 season, Orlando Pirates will be aiming to avoid a banana peel in their bid to secure a semi-final spot for the first time since falling on the last hurdle in the 2016/17 instalment of the competition. P
irates will have to show their superiority and dominate the game to keep Dondol at arm’s length. Jose Riveiro will need his key players to be on form and ready for the challenge to put a stop to this amazing run Dondol have had thus far.
I’m expecting an exciting match for sure, but I believe Pirates will have the edge over Dondol and get the win.
Stellenbosch 9/2 | Draw 24/10 | Mamelodi Sundowns 6/10 (18:00)
Stellenbosch were paired against Mamelodi Sundowns in this quarter-final clash at the Danie Craven Stadium. Playing the high-flying Pretoria side in the Nedbank Cup might not be ideal at the moment, but Stellenbosch know in order to win the competition, they need to “beat the best”. Stellies have scored nine goals in the two games played in the Nedbank Cup so far – beating Swallows FC 3-0 in the last 32, before handing TS Galaxy a 6-3 drubbing in the last 16.
Mamelodi Sundowns have secured their sixth consecutive league title and are well on the way to break a list of long-standing records set in previous seasons. The Brazilians have no intentions of slowing down and will have their eyes set on the next prize which is the Nedbank Cup where they were crowned champions recently in 2022.
This dominance and free-flowing football is a trademark for Masandawana, and Rulani Mokwena has to be credited for his incredible work done thus far. Mokwena will not allow complacency to creep in as standards have been set which they can use as fuel to push them all the way and retain their title.
It’s quite obvious with all Sundowns have to play for, they’ll come out guns blazing and get the win.
Sunday 16 April
Chippa United 16/10 | Draw 2/1 | Sekhukhune United 16/10 (15:00)
Chippa United, the 2021 runners up, have had it difficult these past few months on and off the field. The dismissal of Morgan Mammila came as a shock to many people after the good start he had with the club. This gave the opportunity for the Chilli Boys to reinstate Kurt Lentjies to lead the team and improve on their performances.
The former Chippa United player’s leadership may be what the club needs to turn their fortunes around and secure their place in the topflight and give it their best shot in this quarter-final clash.
Sekhukhune United advanced to the quarter-final stage of the Nedbank Cup following their 2-0 victory against Cape Town Spurs at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. Victor Letsoalo is the key player upfront for Babina Noko and has the qualities to kill off teams. He could be a hand full for the Chilli Boys if given the space and time to show his ability.
This is a first-time appearance for Sekhukhune in the quarter-final stage, which Brandon Truter will be optimistic and play on the front foot and challenge the Chilli Boys on home turf.
This could go either way, but I’m backing Sekhukhune for the win.
Royal AM 5/2 | Draw 2/1 | Kaizer Chiefs 11/10 (18:00)
The team from KwaZulu-Natal have a tough quarter-final meeting with the Glamour Boys who look to be on the rise in recent weeks. Royal AM must be at their best when they welcome Kaizer Chiefs to the Chatsworth Stadium. Now that John Maduka has returned to the club or “home” as some would say, it would be great if he can replicate his good run he had once before.
Kaizer Chiefs have their best run of form of late, being consistent and playing football that fits best to their approach of the game. To beat Royal AM, Chiefs will need to play better than they did against First Division outfit Casric Stars in the previous round.
Chiefs beat Royal AM 2-0 in January but lost three of the four clashes between the sides before that and drew the other. Coach Arthur Zwane will analyse past games as best as he can to identify ways in which they can attack and get the upper hand over the Durban-based team.
Zwane’s team do look to be in a good space and high in confidence which will boost their ambitions to advance into the round of the Nedbank Cup.
The fans are excited to see these two teams meet once again. It’s a fixture that does not disappoint, and for what’s at stake, I give Chiefs the win.
