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16 January 2020
Some of the most memorable matches in South African football history have occurred in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup and this year promises to add to that tally with some mouth-watering fixtures. The 13th edition of the competition will take centre-stage later this month and to whet the appetite, let’s take a look down memory lane at the outstanding matches from this stage of the competition since 2008.
March 15, 2008
AmaZulu (4) 14 (Shoes Moshoeu 2, Thabo Mabaso 12, 40, Dumisani Ngwenya 44, 54, 56, 69, 77, Siyabonga Mkhwanazi 63, 82, 85, Wilford Mathopha 72, 73, Sthembiso Dlamini 90)
Young Ones 0
This can only be described as a good old-fashioned cup thrashing as AmaZulu threatened to beat their own South African scoring record of 16-0 set against Bizana Lucky Stars (1976) and Ford Pirates (1986). It wasn’t to be, but they still had a rip-roaring time as Dumisani Ngwenya netted five goals, matching the feat that same season of Moroka Swallows’ James Chamanga, who also netted five times against Platinum Stars in December 2007. The late Siyabonga Mkhwanazi scored a hat-trick, while there were additional goals for Shoes Moshoeu, Thabo Mabaso (two), Wilford Mathopa (two) and Sthembiso Dlamini.
March 16, 2008
Matatiele Professionals (1) 4 (Theledi Zobati 31, Joseph Makume 59, Zamekile Nyangule 82, Bonisile Mtelo 90)
Bloemfontein Young Tigers (2) 3 (Walter Rasmeni 20, Juda Mokoena 42, Lebusa Tau 62) Both these sides were competing in the Vodacom League at the time of their 2008 Nedbank Cup first round encounter, but that did not stop them providing an absolute classic. Walter Rasmeni put Young Tigers ahead, before Theledi Zobati equalised for the home side. It looked as though that would be the halftime score, but Juda Mokoena put the visitors back in front for a 2-1 lead at the break. Joseph Makume brought Professionals level again at 2-2, only for Lebusa Tau to give the Bloemfontein side the lead for the third time in the match – and they might have thought they would be able to hold on as the game entered the final 10 minutes. But there it all changed as first Zamekile Nyangule brought the home side level at 3-3, and then Bonisile Mtelo found a winner in injury-time, the final act of a seven-goal thriller.
April 14, 2010
Platinum Stars (0) 2 (Kagiso Senamela 58, 73)
Als Puk Tawana (2) 3 (Lebepe Phetolo 12, Jabulani Shongwe 34, 64) Vodacom League side Als Puk Tawana secured a major scalp when they beat Premiership Platinum Stars in a North West Province Derby in the first round in 2010. The lower league side, a feeder team for Premiership Mamelodi Sundowns, stunned their hosts with two first-half goals from Lebepe Phetolo and Jabulani Shongwe, who is now with The Brazilians. Stars got a goal back through Kagiso Senamela just before the hour mark and might have felt they were beginning to take control of the tie, before Shongwe netted his second to make the scoreline 3-1. The minnows might have been further ahead too, but Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini saved Buhlebuyeza Mkhwanazi's penalty, just to add to the drama. Senamela scored again to complete his brace and set up a barnstorming final 17 minutes, but try as they might, Dikwena could not find a way through.
March 4, 2012
Powerlines FC 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (10) 24 (Kekana 7, 15, 32, 49, 61, 80, 81 Henyekane 11, 20, 56, 74, 76 Mushekwi 24, 42, 44, 45, 45, 52 Julies 54, 77 Pelembe 65, 71 Mokoena 73, 90) This first round Nedbank Cup tie ends up being the biggest win in South African football history as Northern Cape SAB Regional League side Powerlines are simply outclassed by Mamelodi Sundowns. It might have been more goals too had the visitors not missed a number of other chances in the game, a humbling experience for the minnows from Kimberley. Midfielder Hlompho Kekena got seven goals (he had only ever scored two goals in his career before this match), Zimbabwean striker Nyasha Mushekwi netted six goals and former Bafana Bafana striker Richard Henyekane another five. Even debutante Samuel Julies got on the act, scoring twice on debut. Sundowns were 10-0 up at halftime, but rather than take their foot off the pedal, they applied even more pressure in the second period, then coach Johan Neeskens calling on his players to turn the screw. It was a harsh lesson for the amateur side Powerlines, but to be fair to them they seemed to enjoy the occasion nonetheless and played with great spirit.
February 23, 2013
Maluti FET College (2) 4 (L Mokoena 1, 56 Rantabane 25, 81)
Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Manyisa 59) Third-tier Maluti FET College produce what is arguably the greatest ever cup shock in South African football history. The Free State side defeated 2011 Nedbank Cup champions Pirates in convincing fashion in what is arguably a bigger surprise than Baroka FC’s 2011 quarterfinal win over Kaizer Chiefs. Maluti were ahead in just 47 seconds, Lucky Mokoena collecting a pass to score his first of the afternoon. Mashale Rantabane made it two when he headed home a free kick, before Lucky Mokoena got his second with a looping header over Senzo Meyiwa to leave The Buccaneers stunned. And Mokoena had a chance for the hat-trick when the home side were awarded a penalty, but he could not get power in his shot and the opportunity was wasted. Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa pulled a goal back from Happy Jele’s square-ball, but Rantabane headed home with nine minutes remaining to secure a famous result. Maluti proved the result was no fluke by winning promotion to the National First Division at the end of the season, where they have continued to develop as a club.
February 27, 2013
Black Leopards (2) [3] 5 (Amidu 3, 26, 94, 108 Monama 83)
Cape Town All Stars (1) [3] 4 (Mitchell 21 Stanfield 80pen Kgafane 85 Memela 98) After extra-time A nine-goal thriller that eventually ends on the side of Premiership Black Leopards against their third-tier rivals Cape Town All Stars after extra-time. It was the second year in a row that All Stars were competing in the Nedbank Cup, they were ousted by Kaizer Chiefs the year before, but might have felt there was more chance of an upset against Lidoda Duvha. Zimbabwean striker Brian Amidu scored four goals on the night, a superb return from him that included two in extra-time. Amidu released a powerful shot from outside the box to score his first of the day, but All Stars equalised through Damien Mitchell from a brilliant curling free-kick. An excellent pass from Tiyani Mabunda enabled Amidu to score Leopards' second, but All Stars are awarded a penalty which Ismael Stanfield coolly slotted for 2-2. Raymond Monama scored what looked like a winner for the home side with seven minutes to go, but veteran midfielder Brian Kgafane equalised to force the match into extra-time. Monama then set up Amidu inside the visitors' box and the latter regained the lead. However, Amigo Memela equalised again from a set-piece for All Stars. Just as it looked as though the game may head to a penalty shoot-out, Amidu scored his fourth of the match to settle the tie at last.
February 22, 2014
Moroka Swallows (0) [2] 4 (Chabangu 57, Manqele 88, 105, Wana 96)
Mbombela United (1) [2] 3 (Nkosi 4, Patjie 63, Ndhlovu 119) After extra time
There were no genuine giant-killing acts in the 2014 Nedbank Cup, but perhaps the closest we came was this thrilling cup tie between Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League side Mbombela United and top-flight Moroka Swallows. United were appearing in the competition for the second year running and had clearly learned their lessons from 2013 as they put in a masterful display that perhaps deserved more. They were ahead inside four minutes when Mlungisi Nkosi stroked the ball home, and that was the way it stayed until just before the hour-mark when Lerato Chabangu brought the Premier Soccer League side level with a superb volley. But United were back in front just six minutes later as Tshediso Patjie scored for them, beating a number of defenders before firing low into the net. It looked as though the third-tier side would hold out, but just two minutes from time Edward Manqele equalized to send the game to extra-time. Striker Vuyisile Wana put Swallows ahead in the extra 30 minutes and when Manqele scored his second, that looked to be the end of the game. But United’s Bongani Ndhlovu set up a tense finish when he netted on 199 minutes, though the Mpumalanga side could force an equaliser in the little time that remained.
February 22, 2015
Mainstay United (0) 1 (Ross 80)
Ajax Cape Town (4) 9 (Cale 10, 30, Losper 26, 33, Ross 68og, Mobara 73, Sadaoui 75, 78, Ngalande 88) Ajax Cape Town eased to the biggest victory in their history as they thumped Northern Cape fourth-tier Mainstay United 9-1 in the Last 32. It was the biggest victory in the Nedbank Cup since Mamelodi Sundowns trounced another Northern Cape side, Powerlines FC, 24-0 at the same stage of the 2012 competition.
Ajax coach Roger de Sa made a number of changes for the game, giving opportunities to fringe players. One of those, Noah Sadaoui took his chance with a brace of goals, netting twice in three minutes, while Malawian international Robin Ngalande also got his name on the scoresheet late on. Mainstay United defender Rashid Ross had the unfortunate distinction of scoring at both ends of the pitch. Veteran winger Franklin Cale got the team off to the perfect start with a goal inside the first 10 minutes, before he added a second on the half-hour mark. Youngsters Toriq Losper (two) and Abbubaker Mobara also got their name on the scoresheet. It might have been a one-sided contest, but will go down in history as the day Ajax showed their true attacking potential.
March 11, 2017
KwaDukuza United (1) 2 (Zondi 9, Khumalo 71)
Ajax Cape Town (1) 2 (Makua 1 Nxumalo 62)
After extra-time; KwaDukuza won 4-3 on penalties
KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe League side KwaDukuza United wrote their names into Nedbank Cup folklore with a shock victory over top-flight Ajax Cape Town, although they did need penalties to finish the job. The lower league side showed great mental strength to twice come from behind and take the game to spot-kicks, where they eventually triumphed 4-3. Ajax had looked on course when Neo Makua put them ahead inside the first minute, but shortly afterwards the confident home side responded via striker Lungelo Zondi, who has National First Division experience with Real Kings, and had also been part of the Natal United side that beat top-flight Chippa United in 2015. Ajax were back in front just past the hour-mark through forward Prince Nxumalo, but once again they could not hold onto their lead as former African Warriors and Mthatha Bucks midfielder Khulu Khumalo equalised.
That was the way it stayed and United were able to seal victory in the shoot-out, another notable scalp for coach Thami Ngubane.
February 14, 2018
Super Eagles (1) 1 (Mbuli 45)
Free State Stars (0) 2 (Mahamutsa 90, Anas 95) After extra-time. This was a local derby between National First Division side Super Eagles and eventual winners Free State Stars, who came oh so close to exiting the competition in the first round. Both of the teams play at Goble Park in Bethlehem so although Super Eagles were listed as the home side, there was no real advantage gained. After a tense first half, former Nedbank Ke Yona Team gradate Bongi Mbuli put Super Eagles ahead, a lead they held right until the death. It looked as though they would cause a major upset until stalwart defender Rooi Mahamutsa, who had scored an own goal for Orlando Pirates in the 2011 Nedbank Cup final, popped up with a 91st minute equaliser. That took the game to extra-time and Ghanaian forward Mohammed Anas slotted home the winner as Stars were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
January 23, 2019
Polokwane City (1) 1 (Anas 29’)
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (0) 2 (Manqele 56’, 86’) This was a Limpopo derby and a first ever meeting between top-flight Polokwane City, who were riding high at the time, and National First Division outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, making their debut in the Nedbank Cup Last 32. The home side were heavy favourites and it was no surprise when they took the lead just before the hour-mark through Ghanaian forward Mohammed Anas. Most expected them to go on and claim an easy win, but TTM had other ideas and their veteran forward Edward Manqele, once of Kaizer Chiefs, scored a classy brace in the second half. He showed great pace to finish with his first, and then got a winner four minutes from time to send the visitors into wild celebrations.
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.