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10 February 2020
The draw for the Last 16 of the Nedbank Cup has produced eight more epic ties including the chance for arguably the greatest giant-killing act of all. Fourth-tier Vaal University of Technology have already written their names firmly into the South African football history books with their ousting of top-flight Lamontville Golden Arrows in the last round, but they now face an even greater challenge. VUT have been drawn away at 2015 Nedbank Cup champions Mamelodi Sundowns, whose star-studded squad will present a massive challenge for the SAB Regional League minnows. Sundowns will be tipped to advance to the next stage, but we will definitely lose three more Premier League clubs with a trio of ties between top-flight sides.
Last year’s beaten finalists Kaizer Chiefs must travel to Highlands Park, while Bloemfontein Celtic host Maritzburg United and Bidvest Wits entertain Chippa United. Wits and Chippa were involved in a 4-4 thriller in the 2019 Nedbank Cup, before the Nelson Mandela Bay side triumphed in the penalty shoot-out. There could be another giant-killing act as Black Leopards host Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League side Amavarara, while there is an all second-tier clash between Mbombela United and Real Kings. There are still two Last 32 games to be completed on Tuesday and the winner between Polokwane City and Baroka FC will host Northern Cape third-tier side Hungry Lions.
Finally, the victor between Zizwe United and Happy Wanderers will welcome TS Sporting, who could return to Cape Town after beating Ajax in the previous round. Matches will be played on the weekend of February 21-22, with the exact dates, venues and kick-off times to be determined by the Premier Soccer League.
Nedbank Cup Last 16 Draw:
Polokwane City/Baroka FC vs Hungry Lions
Zizwe United/Happy Wanderers vs TS Sporting
Mbombela United vs Real Kings
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Vaal University of Technology
BidVest Wits vs Chippa United
Highlands Park vs Kaizer Chiefs
Bloemfontein Celtic vs Maritzburg United
Black Leopards vs Amavarara
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.