The weekend’s Nedbank Cup action saw big guns such as Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs avoid upsets, with 15 clubs safely through to the last 16 as of Monday night, with Polokwane and Chippa United set to rumble for one last spot on Tuesday.
While the midweek action was headlined by SuperSport United suffering a shock defeat at the hands of lower-league Dondol Stars, Saturday featured Pirates overpowering All Stars 2-0 at the Bidvest Stadium in a night game, thanks to second-half strikes from Monnapule Saleng and Thembinkosi Lorch, as the Buccaneers’ class and persistence ultimately overwhelmed the well-organised but toothless Motsepe Foundation Championship team.
Earlier in the day, Stellenbosch FC put in a powerful display at Athlone Stadium (in honour of the tragic death of Oswin Andries last weekend) to crush fellow DStv Premiership club Swallows FC 3-0, with Iqraam Rayners netting brace to add to Vusi Sibiya’s early opener.
Elsewhere, second-tier Venda Football Academy avoided an upset against amateurs Black Cross at Dr Molemela Stadium, winning 2-1 via a brace from Rhulani Manzini, while a battle of lower league sides saw Mpheni Home Defenders triumph 3-0 against Clarewood JPM in a match which kicked off late at the Thohoyandou Stadium due to a waterlogged pitch. Mpheni’s goals were netted by Bonginkosi Makhanya, Nkateto Shilenge and Nkosephayo Mavundla.
At Princess Magogo Stadium, Golden Arrows had to fight off a determined challenge from Pretoria Callies to secure a 2-1 triumph after extra time. Abafana Bes’thende looked in danger of a surprise defeat at the hands of their Motsepe Foundation Championship visitors, who took an early lead via Eric Dubula’s penalty, but ultimately triumphed thanks to an own goal and a superb winning strike from Knox Mutizwa with just seven of the 120 minutes remaining.
The weekend’s action opened on Friday evening with Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town Spurs securing progression into the next round. The Amakhosi needed extra time to overcome fellow top-flight side Maritzburg United 2-0 (thanks to goals from Christian Basomboli and Ashley Du Preez), while the Urban Warriors crushed fellow second-tier club Baroka FC 3-0 via second-half strikes from Therlo Moosa, Chumani Butsaka and Colin Ryan.
The Nedbank Cup Last 32 continued on Sunday 12 February with four matches, headlined by the all-DStv Premiership clash between Cape Town City and Royal AM.
The game lived up to its billing and Royal AM sneaked a victory on penalties 4-3, after zero-all in regular time.
AmaZulu survived a late scare to secure progression to the last-16 of the Nedbank Cup with a 3-2 victory over Tornado FC at the King Zwelethini Stadium on Sunday.
RESULTS
Friday 10 February
Maritzburg 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Cape Town Spurs 3-0 Baroka FC
Saturday 11 February
Black Cross 1-2 Venda Football Academy
Golden Arrows 2-1 Pretoria Callies
Mpheni Home Defenders 3-0 Clarewood JPM
Stellenbosch FC 3-0 Swallows FC
All Stars 0-2 Orlando Pirates
Amazulu 3-2 Tornado
Mkhambathi 0-4 Casric Stars
TS Galaxy 2-0 Amavarara
Cape Town City 0(3) - 0(4) Royal AM
Polokwane City vs Chippa United (Tuesday, February 14
