WeeklySA_AdminLAST 32: AMAKHOSI LOOK TO END SILVERWARE DROUGHT WHILE PIRATES IS SET FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE NEDBANK CUP
By Ali Mphaki
After ten years of hunger, there shall be 10 years of plenty. Such is the hope against hope for the hordes of Kaizer Chiefs supporters and fans ahead of their Nedbank last 32 clash against minnows Free Agents penciled for the FNB stadium Sunday evening
Amakhosi drew the Tshwane-based team, which competes in South Africa’s second division, under the SAFA banner, two weeks ago at the bank’s head offices in Sandton.
Historically, Amakhosi have dominated this tournament, clinching the title a record 13 times since its inception in the early 1970s. Coach Nasreddine Nabi, who will be absent from the bench due to suspension, aims to secure the Nedbank Cup as his first trophy in Mzansi.
Having suffered a disappointing exit in the round of 32 at the hands of Milford FC in a penalty shootout last season, the Glamour Boys, who will be led by assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, are determined to go significantly deeper in the competition this time around, starting with Sunday’s game against Free Agents.
The Last 32 opens on Friday night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with a clash between second-tier Pretoria Callies and top-flight Marumo Gallants, while Saturday is headlined by a classic ‘David v Goliath’ clash, as Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns welcome Sibanye Golden Stars, who play in the ABC Motsepe League (third tier) in the Free State.
A third successive Nedbank Cup title is in Orlando Pirates’ sights, who won the 2023 and 2024 Nedbank Cup titles, are looking to emulate their own achievement from 1973 to 1975 when they became the first – and thus far only – team to win three National Cup titles in a row.
The Buccaneers have had the benefit of facing lower-league opposition in the early rounds in the past two years, but this time around they will come up against a fellow top-flight club first up, as they take on Richards Bay at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Soweto giants are fresh from an impressive away triumph over Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League last weekend, while Bay have failed to win any of their last three matches, most recently slumping to a 2-1 defeat away to Cape Town City.
Nonetheless, Natal Rich Boyz captain Simphiwe Mcineka as quoted in the local media believes his team is capable of upsetting the defending champions.
“We have a strong squad but a few past results have made people think we are a bad team but we know we are not,” said Mcineka. “The only thing that has let us down is missing chances. We create a lot of chances but we mysteriously fail to find the back of the net.”
The Nedbank Cup is Chiefs’ only realistic avenue to prevent their trophy drought reaching the 10-year mark, and given the roller-coaster season they are experiencing, they cannot afford a repeat of last year’s embarrassing Last 32 exit at the hands of a lower league club (Milford FC).
What should worry Chiefs is the excitement and high spirits permeating the Free Agent camp “ because I think it is everyone’s dream to play against a big club like that,” said skipper Thulani Dhladhla.
“Since we all know Chiefs have a history of losing against lower division teams, I think this fixture favours us. It means we have a good chance of winning against them and advancing to the next round.”
The Last 32 continues through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, including all-top-flight clashes in which Sekhukhune United face Cape Town City and Magesi FC tackle SuperSport United, while AmaZulu FC, Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy will look to avoid upsets at the hands of lower-league opponents.
■ Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) is pleased to announce the implementation of a park and ride system for the highly anticipated Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, scheduled to take place on February 1, 2025.
This initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of traffic congestion experienced during the Derby and to expand the public transport options available to attendees. The decision follows the tremendous success of the park and ride option at the recent Chris Brown concert, where nearly 20 000 patrons utilised the service on each concert day.
