THE FUSE

The Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup produced a weekend of dramatic upsets, with the top two teams in the Betway Premiership both eliminated from South Africa’s premier knockout competition.

The action got under way on Friday, 20 February, when AmaZulu FC secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Richards Bay FC in a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the uMhlathuze Sports Stadium.

Saturday’s fixtures delivered the biggest surprises of the round, as PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates were both knocked out.

Mamelodi Sundowns travelled to the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to TS Galaxy.

Later, the Buccaneers hosted second-tier side Casric Stars at Orlando Stadium, aiming for an unprecedented fourth successive Nedbank Cup final appearance.

However, after a goalless 120 minutes, Orlando Pirates fell 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Nkosikhona Ndaba missed the decisive spot-kick as Casric Stars completed a famous upset.

In Upington, second-tier Upington City FC went down 2-0 on penalties to topflight side Durban City FC at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium.

The final match of the day saw Golden Arrows edge Stellenbosch FC 1-0 in controversial fashion at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

Newly appointed Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt voiced his frustration after the match, criticising the continued absence of VAR in South African football.

Sunday, 22 February, featured the final three matches of the round.

Second-tier leaders Milford FC claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over third-tier Mkhambathi FC in another KwaZulu-Natal derby at the uMhlathuze Sports Stadium.

In a clash between ABC Motsepe League sides, Jacksa Spears became just the fourth amateur team to reach the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after beating Vasco da Gama 1-0 at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium.

Meanwhile, University of Pretoria FC hosted Betway Premiership outfit Sekhukhune United at Tuks Stadium, but it was the topflight side who advanced with a narrow 1-0 victory.

With several heavyweights out and lower-division sides still in contention, this year’s Nedbank Cup is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.

The draw for the quarter-finals will be held on Monday, 23 February at 19:00.

Friday, 20 February

Richards Bay 0-1 AmaZulu

Saturday, 21 February

Upington City 0-0 (Durban City won 2-0 on penalties) Durban City

TS Galaxy 2-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Golden Arrows 1-0 Stellenbosch FC

Orlando Pirates 0-0 (Casric Stars won 5-4 on penalties) Casric Stars

Sunday, 22 February

Milford FC 3-0 Mkhambathi FC

Jacksa Spears 1-0 CR Vasco da Gama

University of Pretoria 0-1 Sekhukhune United

AmaZulu FC, Durban City, TS Galaxy, Golden Arrows, Sekhukhune United (all Betway Premiership), Milford FC, Casric Stars (both National First Division), Jacksa Spears (ABC Motsepe League).

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