THE NEDBANK CUP: THE STORY OF DAVID VS GOLIATH

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

The PSL together with title sponsor Nedbank launched the 18th edition of the Nedbank Cup at the Nedbank Headquarters in Sandton on Thursday evening. This comes at the back of Orlando Pirates successfully defending their title, defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the final at the Mbombela stadium.

The Nedbank Cup continues to provide a unique style of football, showing the story of David vs Goliath through football, providing aspiring footballers from teams in the lower divisions to challenge their top-tier counterparts, notably TS Galaxy and Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila who clinched their Nedbank Cup titles in 2019 and 2021 respectively and got an opportunity to compete in the CAF Confederations Cup.

16 teams from the betWay premiership will once compete in the tournament with 8 teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and 7 teams from the SAFA regions also partaking in the tournament with SAFA Mpumalanga still yet to confirm their representative to take part in this year’s campaign.

The last 32 draw was also conducted which saw the big three in Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and defending champions Orlando Pirates all drawn against different entities in the hopes of making it in the next round.

Amakhosi will play hosts to Free Agents FC, with Mamelodi Sundowns playing hosts to Sibanye Golden Stars while defending champions Orlando Pirates will play an all premiership clash as they will travel away to KZN to face Richards Bay FC.

Sundowns still remains the only team who has scored the most goals in one match, defeating Powerlines FC 24-0 back in 2012 while Chiefs and Pirates have fallen to the teams in the lower divisions before, the like of Baroka FC, University of Pretoria, Black Leopards and Cape Town All Stars.

This year’s campaign will continue to be known as Ke Yona, Ya rona, giving an opportunity to supporters to join in the fun as they stand a chance of winning R7 million through the goal and save innovation, which will keep the supporters glued to the tournament throughout.

The winning team will walk away with a prize money of R7 million as well donate a multi-purpose sports court worth R2 million to a particular school or community of their choice.

Below are all Round of 32 ties:

Polokwane City vs The Bees

Sekhukhune United vs Cape Town City

Kaizer Chiefs vs Free Agents

Mpheni Home Defender vs Hungry Lions

Magesi FC vs SuperSport United

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Sibanye Golden Stars

Royal AM vs Milford FC

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates

Venda FC vs Cape Town Spurs

Golden Arrows vs Chippa United

TS Galaxy vs CR Vasco Da Gama

Stellenbosch FC vs Kruger United

AmaZulu vs Mighty Eagles

Lerumo Lions vs Durban City FC

Umvoti FC vs Baroka FC

Pretoria Callies vs Marumo Gallants

The tournament will get underway in due course with dates, times and venues set to be announced soon.