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11 February 2020
Highlands Park will have to make history on a couple of fronts if they are to advance to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals after being drawn against Kaizer Chiefs in the Last 16 on Monday. Highlands have never beaten Chiefs in six previous clashes, managing just a single draw in that time, while they have also never been to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup, with a second round finish in 2019 their best performance yet.
But coach Owen da Gama's side have bucked the trend so far this campaign, with their 2-0 win in the Last 32 against GladAfrica Championship side Uthongathi their first ever outright win in the Nedbank Cup. They advanced to the second round last season with a penalty shoot-out victory over AmaZulu that goes into the record books as a draw.
Namibia forward Peter Shalulile also became the first player to score twice for them in a Nedbank Cup game, and shot to the top of their scorers charts in the competition, ahead of Ryan Rae, who is their only other player to net in the competition. But it will be the team’s record against Chiefs that will be concerning Da Gama. In their six previous meetings, Chiefs have won five, with a single draw, which was a 0-0 stalemate in the league in October 2018. Chiefs have already beaten Highlands twice in the league this season, claiming a 3-2 away success on the opening day of the campaign, and a more comprehensive 3-0 home win last month.
In fact, Chiefs have scored three goals in each of their last three meetings with Highlands, having also claimed a 3-2 league win last season. It suggests there will be goals aplenty and rich entertainment for fans in what should be a fascinating Nedbank Cup clash.
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.