Few more shocks in store in Nedbank Cup?
Who will be this year's "Goliath" team is a question on almost everyone's lips as the Nedbank Cup kicked off and tonight's fixtures will add a few more options for this trophy.
Tshegofatso Mashego, assistant coach of Super Eagles FC reacts, issues instructions to the players (Chris Ricco/BackpagePix)
With the likes of Cape Town All Stars, Mthatha Bucks, Swallows FC and Phiva Young Stars already knocked out, three more teams from the lower divisions can still make the cut for the last-16. Ubuntu Cape Town became the first lower division team to claim a big scalp when they beat Polokwane City last week.
Their neighbours, All Stars, however could not keep the trend going despite giving a good account of themselves against a star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns team on Friday – losing 1-0.
Bucks also put up a huge fight against AmaZulu, taking the elite league side to the penalty shootout but could not go through after failing to convert from the spot.
It will be interesting to see if Owen da Gama’s Highlands Park will opt for a balancing act between their league campaign and a good run in Ke Yona.
The Lions of the North currently hold a comfortable eight-point lead in the National First Division and they meet one of their chasers, Stellenbosch, at Athlone Stadium tomorrow evening.
Relegation-threatened Richards Bay have an easier assignment against an ABC Motsepe League side in Bloemfontein Young Tigers. But with Tigers having nothing to lose, Jean Luscuito’s side would be wise to tread carefully.
It is however Super Eagles who have a chance of following in Ubuntu’s steps and claim a big scalp when they meet neighbours Free State Stars at Goble Park tomorrow in a game rescheduled after the pitch was waterlogged on Saturday.
Eagles coach Antonio Flores told Phakaaathi that this match would be tricky for him because they share facilities with Ea Lla Koto and have played so many friendlies against each other that he has lost count.
“But this is an official game and we have to give it a full go because it is a chance for us to get our name out there and show everyone what we can do,” said Flores.
