PSL

PREVIEW: Shock, goals & plot twists – a look at some of the Nedbank Cup’s most famous upsets

With the DStv Premiership on a short recess, the focus for domestic football shifts to the Nedbank Cup, famously known as the “Cup of Upsets”.

by
Sithembiso Dindi
March 13, 2024

With the DStv Premiership on a short recess, the focus for domestic football shifts to the Nedbank Cup, famously known as the "Cup of Upsets".

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The competition, which pits DStv Premiership teams against sides from South Africa’s lower divisions, the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC), ABC Motsepe League and the Hollywoodbets Regional League, has dished some headline-grabbing results in the past.

This year’s edition has already served some surprises, with little-known KwaZulu-Natal club Milford FC dispatching Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, the most successful club in the competition, from the Round of 32.

Fellow second-tier outfit, the University of Pretoria (Tuks), also ended Cape Town Spurs’ Nedbank Cup hopes in the opening round.

With a handful of sides from the lower divisions still in the running, further possible upsets remain on the cards.

Below, we look at some of the famous upsets that the Nedbank Cup has produced over recent years:

Orlando Pirates shocked by Maluti FET College and Silver Stars

The Buccaneers have had a fair share of their own upsets where they were surprisingly knocked out by lesser-known opponents.

Many were astounded when the mighty Pirates suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat to an amateur side, Maluti, from the Free State ABC Motsepe League in February 2013.

Maluti were then coached by Morena Ramoreboli, who has since emerged as a renowned coach who later led Bafana Bafana as an interim mentor in the Cosafa Cup and more recently is impressing at Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana.

Media reports suggested that then Pirates coach Roger De Sa and his technical team were immediately summoned into an emergency meeting by the club’s management.

Pirates’ shock loss to Maluti was not the first time they were knocked out of the tournament at the hands of lesser-known teams.

The Sea Robbers were also stunned in the early 2000s when they went down 2-0 to second-tier team Silver Stars in the Round of 16.

That Stars side was then coached by Owen Da Gama and possessed talents such as marauding fullback Daniel “Sailor” Tshabalala, who earned himself a move to the Soweto giants as a result of his impressive performances.

Pirates face MFC’s Hungry Lions at Orlando Stadium on Saturday at 18:00.

The Sea Robbers shouldn’t have much problem beating their lesser-known opponents as long as they don’t underestimate them.

They are a banker.

It is the return of the #NedbankCup. 🏆

Opening the round of 16 clashes, we have @AmaTuks welcoming @Moroka_Swallows. Who is booking their place in the Quarterfinals? pic.twitter.com/k3kdeCzRXm
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 13, 2024

Kaizer Chiefs’ unimaginable defeats in the Nedbank Cup

Having won the tournament 13 times, Amakhosi are the most successful team in the competition but are probably the club that has also had the most embarrassing moments in the cup as well.

Chiefs are the only top-tier club to have lost the Nedbank Cup final to a team from a lower division as they did go down 1-0 to TS Galaxy during the 2019 climax at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Galaxy were still campaigning in the MFC then and were coached by Dan “Dance” Malesela.

Zakhele Lepasa, on loan from Pirates, scored the winner from the penalty spot late in the second half to give the Tim Sukazi-owned club the victory.

After the final loss to Galaxy, Chiefs’ 2011 defeat to Baroka FC, who were in the third tier then, is regarded as the biggest upset in South African football.

That Chiefs team, who had the likes of Knowledge Musona, Itumeleng Khune, Jimmy Tau and others lost 2-1 to the minnows.

Over the years, Chiefs have also suffered embarrassing defeats to lower-tier teams such as Tuks, Richards Bay FC and most recently, Milford.

Milford will be up against Stellenbosch FC in the round of 16 at Princess Magogo Stadium on Friday 19:00 and it’s more likely to be the end of the road for the lower-tier side.

Back Stellies to win the clash in regulation time.

Tuks’ rampant run against the big boys

During the 2009 edition of the Nedbank Cup, second-tier outfit, the University of Pretoria was dishing out football lessons to top-flight clubs in impressive fashion.

Tuks dispatched all of Amakhosi, Bloemfontein Celtic, and Ajax Cape Town (now CT Spurs) before they eventually fell to Moroka Swallows in the final.

Tuks had players such as Phenyo Mongala, Manti Mekoa (formerly) Moholo, Mthokozisi Yende and others who went on to carve impressive careers in the Premier Soccer League.

Tuks are in action in the round of 16 against Swallows at Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday at 19:00.

While Swallows are favourites to win here, it’s important to note they have been struggling recently, so there’s an opportunity for Tuks to claim another big scalp.

A double-chance bet is a safer option in this clash.

The Rockets have been in fine form this season, are they the dark horses to go all the way this year? 🚀 #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/SOqCVYROzb
— Nedbank Sport (@nedbanksport) March 8, 2024

Dondol Stars joins the list of giant killers

The Mamelodi-based club shot to fame as the giant killers during last season’s edition of the competition.

Their journey which ended in the quarter-finals began with an unlikely victory over Gavin Hunt’s SuperSport United and former Nedbank Cup champions.

They also got the better of AmaZulu FC in the Round of 16, but they couldn’t claim the biggest scalp against Pirates in the last eight.

AmaZulu travel to fellow DStv Premiership side Sekhukhune United in an all-top-flight clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Thursday at 19:00.

Back Sekhukhune for a double chance, draw or win in regulation time.

SuperSport are still in the running this season and will be away to Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Saturday at 15:00.

The gutsy Gavin Hunt-led team stand a good chance of progressing to the next round. Tip them to win.