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21 January 2020
The draw for the 2020 Nedbank Cup means that we are guaranteed to have two teams from the SAFA structures into the Last 16 of the competition, and opens the door for a record number of amateur sides to reach that stage. There have never been more than two teams from the SAFA structures to reach the second round, but with a couple already assured of a place, there is every chance that we could have three this year.
ABC Motsepe League sides Zizwe United (Western Cape) and Happy Wanderers (KwaZulu-Natal) will clash in the Last 32 this year, a tough encounter between two sides who will have eyes on promotion to the GladAfrica Championship as well this season. The second all-third tier clash sees Amavarara (Eastern Cape) host Super Eagles (Free State), the latter returning to this stage for the third year in a row. The question now is how many other teams from the SAFA structures can join the winners of those two games in the Last 16. The current record for the greatest number of SAFA sides in the Last 16 is two, which has happened on five occasions, including in three of the last five years.
There has been at least one SAFA club in the second round in every season of the Nedbank Cup since 2008, with The Magic the only campaigner last year before they went down to Kaizer Chiefs in the second round. Vaal University of Technology campaign in the SAB Regional League and are the only fourth-tier side in this year’s Last 32. They have a tough home clash against top-flight Lamontville Golden Arrows, and it would take a giant-killing act of epic proportions to see them advance. North West University also face Premier League opposition when they travel away to Black Leopards, with Thohoyandou the traditional fortress of Lidoda Duvha.
Passion FC from Mpumalanga might fancy their chances of an upset when they host second-tier Real Kings, though the latter have proven good travellers and it will be no easy task. The last of the teams from the SAFA structures are Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League side Hungry Lions, who are away at Jomo Cosmos, though they might relish the trip to Potchefstroom. Cosmos have been in poor form this season and Lions will be hungry for the upset. While the odds are often stacked against them, the Nedbank Cup provides players from the lower leagues with the opportunity to make a name for themselves and come to the attention of clubs all around the country. It will be a chance they will be eager to take in 2020, as those who have come before them managed in previous years.
NUMBER OF SAFA TEAMS INTO THE NEDBANK CUP LAST 16
2019 - 1
2018 - 2
2017 - 2
2016 - 1
2015 - 2
2014 - 1
2013 - 2
2012 - 1
2011 - 2
2010 - 1
2009 - 1
2008 - 1
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.