Pro Philani takes us through the Nedbank Cup’s round of 32 action which concluded on Tuesday night after some pretty entertaining football.
The round of 32 of the Nedbank Cup was concluded on Tuesday the 14th of February when Chippa United visited Polokwane City at the New Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane. Both sides could not be separated after 120 minutes and it all went down to penalties. Polokwane City missed their first two kicks which allowed Chippa to end the shootout and enter their name into the draw.
There were not so many surprises in the other 15 rounds as most Premiership teams made light work of amateur and lower division teams who were part of the tournament. The major surprise came from Lucas Moripe Stadium when Mamelodi-based outfit, Dondol Stars humbled SuperSport United 2-1. The only other amateur team to make it past the last 32 was Mpheni Home Defenders of Venda, who defeated Clarewood FC 3-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium.
𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦‼️
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) February 8, 2023
Dondol Stars, who play in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League, have knocked SuperSport United out of the Nedbank Cup after beating them 2-1.
𝘊𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴! pic.twitter.com/si1Tnnh6pF
Soweto giants, Chiefs and Pirates, made it through to the next round also, with Kaizer Chiefs getting through the first round for the first time since 2019/20 season. In the last two editions of the competition, AmaKhosi were eliminated in the last 32 stage by Richards Bay (2-1) and TS Galaxy (1-0) respectively, with both losses happening at FNB Stadium.
The Buccaneers on the other hand defeated former assistant coach All Stars 2-0 away at the Bidvest stadium. The Buccaneers also welcomed favourite son, Thembinkosi Lorch, back to the team for the first time after a 5 months injury layoff.
FT
— FARPost_ZA (@FARPostZA) February 10, 2023
Maritzburg United 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
102' ⚽ Saile
112' ⚽ Du Preez#FARPost #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/xJdmEJMseL
KZN sides Royal AM, Golden Arrows and AmaZulu progressed to the last 16, with victories while Richards Bay were eliminated by defending champions, Sundowns. AmaZulu’s victory was clouded by poor officiating when the referring team missed, first a foul on keeper Jody February and an offside deep in the second half which allowed the Northern Cape side Tornado FC grab their second on the night to make it 3-2.
Arrows defeated Pretoria Callies 2-1 in a match which left Callies coach Kwanele Kopo in an emotional state because of poor officiating during the match.
Royal AM scrapped through the penalties to eliminate Cape Town City at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. AM keeper, Peter Nyame was the hero on the day having saved two penalties.
😠 𝕌ℕℍ𝔸ℙℙ𝕐 😠
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 12, 2023
Usuthu head coach Romain Folz was unhappy following their victory over Tornado FC in the #NedbankCup!
AmaZulu 3⃣➖2⃣ Tornado FC
📺 SABC 1
📻 SABC Radio Stations #SABCSportFootball #WeLoveItHere pic.twitter.com/BdiQswmidU
The Cape will be represented by the young Cape Town Spurs side who defeated fellow Motsepe Foundation side, Baroka FC, 3-0. Stellenbosch FC overcame an emotional week after the passing of young midfielder Oshwin Andries earlier in the week. Stellies defeated Swallows 3-0 to also register their name in the last 16 draw.
Premiership sides still in the competition are: Marumo Gallants, Sundowns, Chiefs, Pirates, Arrows, AmaZulu, Royal AM, TS Galaxy, Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune United, Chippa United.
Motsepe Foundation Championship have Cape Town Spurs, Casric Stars, Venda Football Academy.
ABC Motsepe Leagues have Dondol Stars and Mpheni Home Defenders, still left in the competition.
LAST 16 DRAW...
— #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) February 15, 2023
The #NedbankCup draw takes place today. 18:00. Live on SuperSport.
AmaZulu
Kaizer Chiefs
Dondol Stars
Mamelodi Sundowns
Sekhukhune
Mpheni Home Defenders
Chippa
Orlando Pirates
Casric
Marumo Gallants
CT Spurs
Stellenbosch
Golden Arrows
TS Galaxy
Venda FA
Royal AM pic.twitter.com/ezd2gy48H5
