JOY AND PAIN

LAST 16: DEFENDING CHAMPS PIRATES GO FOR NEDBANK CUP TREBLE  

By Ali Mphaki

Its going to be a week of joy and pain as the Nedbank Cup enters its crucial stage starting with SuperSport United hosting Cape Town Spurs on Wednesday and culminating in the Sundowns versus relatively unknown minnows  Mpheni Home Defenders on Sunday. The Supersport versus Spurs game pencilled for 19hrs at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

The action continues on Thursday when Stellenbosch FC will host Polokwane City at Danie Craven Stadium, followed by a thrilling encounter between Durban City and TS Galaxy at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday, both matches commencing at 19h00.

Saturday promises to be a blockbuster with three mouth-watering games scheduled for the afternoon, defending champions Orlando Pirates taking on Baroka FC at the Orlando stadium, Marumo Gallants also in action against AmaZulu at the Dr Molemela stadium  same afternoon, with Kaizer Chiefs going head-to-head with Chippa United at FNB Stadium, starting at 18h00.

The Round of 16 will conclude on Sunday when Mamelodi Sundowns take on Mpheni Home Defenders at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with kick-off at 15h00.

Pirates won the Nedbank Cup twice in a row, first blasting Sekhukhune United 2-1 in the 2022/23 and following up with another 2-1 win over Sundowns in the 2023/24 season. 

Nothing will make the “Happy People” more happier than to see their team go all the way to defend the title.

And following a decade-long cup drought, the Kaizer Chiefs faithful are crossing their fingers for their team to emerge victorious against Chippa United in what is seen as a “last chance” for the Amakhosi to earn some silverware this season.

Based on the idea of giving lower league and amateur teams a chance to compete with clubs from the top league for the cup. 

And since the tournament is based on the English FA Cup, which has become known for “giant killings” (lower league clubs defeating a top-flight club), fans can brace themselves for some thrills and spills going to the last 8.

As the two remaining minnows,  its up to Cape Town Spurs and Mpheni Home Defenders to spoil the party.