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Three things to look out for in the Nedbank Cup this weekend
The Nedbank Cup last 16 continues this weekend.
Milford FC players celebrate after knocking Kaizer Chiefs out of the Nedbank Cup. Can they repeat the trick against Stellies? Picture: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Can Milford spring another giant-killing?
Motsepe Championship side Milford FC stunned Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in the last 32, and have another chance to topple a DStv Premiership outfit on Friday evening when they host Steve Barker’s Stellenbosch in the last 16.
Milford are at home this time, at the Princess Magogo Stadium, but will have their hands full to repeat the trick against a Stellenbosch side that has already taken home silverware this season, winning the Carling Black Label Knockout at the end of 2023.
The KZN side also have bigger problems to worry about – since they beat Chiefs, they have lost Championship games to Hungry Lions and JDR Stars, and are just one point ahead of the league’s bottom side Platinum City Rovers.
Pirates need to keep up derby momentum
Orlando Pirates gave their season a huge boost by winning the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, but Jose Riveiro’s side still need to show far more consistency than they did in the first half of the season.
Adding the Nedbank Cup to the MT8 title, as well as finishing second in the DStv Premiership would make for a good season for the Buccaneers, and they will be heavy favourites to reach the quarterfinals at home to Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hungry Lions on Saturday.
The Northern Cape side are having a decent season in the first division, still in the running for a place at least in the promotion play-offs. But Pirates should still have far too much class for their opponents at Orlando Stadium.
Sundowns’ hunger does not bode well for United
Mamelodi Sundowns are unlikely to take their eyes off the prize when they take on Maritzburg United at home in the Nedbank Cup last 16 on Sunday.
Rulani Mokwena’s men haven’t lost a match in the league all season, and if drawing with SuperSport in midweek represents a slip-up by their high standards, they are so far ahead in the DStv Premiership it probably won’t matter at all.
Masandawana will also be determined to make up for their knockout slip-ups this season, beaten by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final, and knocked out by TS Galaxy in the last 16 of the Carling Black Label Knockout.
Maritzburg did beat Sundowns the last time the two side’s met in the Nedbank Cup, in the 2018 semifinals, but the Team of Choice have slipped down the rankings since then, and are now a mid-table first division side.
Mokwena may choose to rest some players with the Champions League quarterfinals on the horizon, but then Sundowns’ reserves are also arguably better than any other team in the country.
