Home
19 February 2020
Only four of the 16 sides remaining in the 2020 Nedbank Cup have lifted the prestigious piece of silverware before, offering the potential for a new champion this year. A total of 20 different clubs have won the Nedbank Cup competition since its inception in 1971, while there have been eight different winners over the last 12 seasons.
With the likes of Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Free State Stars and holders TS Galaxy already out, which make up the winners in seven of the last nine seasons, there is all to play for in the hunt for South Africa’s most coveted knockout prize.
Here are the four teams that remain in the competition who have won the trophy in the past:
KAIZER CHIEFS
Trophy wins (13): 1971, 1972, 1971, 1984, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1992, 2000, 2006, 2013
The undisputed kings of the Nedbank Cup competition down the years, Chiefs have five more victories than the next most successful side, Orlando Pirates (eight).
But many of those wins came in the 1970s and 80s, meaning there has been slim pickings of late. In fact, they have one just one title in the last 12 editions of the competition, when they beat SuperSport 1-0 after extra-time in 2013.
They were surprising losers in the 2019 final to second-tier TS Galaxy as they failed to add to their impressive list of success.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Trophy wins (4): 1986, 1998, 2008, 2015
Sundowns have enjoyed huge trophy success in their history, but have perhaps found the Nedbank Cup a tougher proposition over the years.
Their first title came in 1986 when they defeated Jomo Cosmos 1-0 after extra-time, and it would be 12 years before they lifted the trophy again with a penalty shoot-out win over Pirates after their final went to a replay and both games finished 1-1.
A decade later and a narrow 1-0 win over second-tier Mpumalanga Black Aces secured the 2008 trophy, before they beat a young Ajax Cape Town team on penalties to claim victory in 2015. There have also been disappointments along the way, the Brazilians lost in the decider in 1989, 2000, 2001, 2007 and 2012.
BIDVEST WITS
Trophy wins (2): 1978, 2010
Wits were worthy Nedbank Cup champions in 2010 when they heat AmaZulu 3-0 in the decider at a packed FNB Stadium just months before the FIFA World Cup.
That was only a second ever victory for the team, with their previous success coming all the way back in 1978 when they Kaiser Chiefs 3-2 in a thrilling decider that remains among the best in the tournament history.
Wits also lost in the finals in 2005 (to SuperSport) and 2014 (to Pirates).
BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC
Trophy wins (1): 1985
Celtic have only ever been to one Nedbank Cup competition final but ended up on the winning side for a 100 percent conversion rate!
That was back in 1985 when they had a superb side that was among the best in the league, with the likes of Frank Rapulane, Benjamin Reed, Ambrose Mosala, John Serathi, Eden Katango and Kenny Modukanele all starring for the team.
Having been to a couple of League Cup finals in recent years, Celtic will hope to add to their tally in the Nedbank Cup.
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.