The Nedbank Cup quarter-final clashes are upon us and Sport Plus takes a look at the mouthwatering matches scheduled for this weekend.
Defending champions, Orlando Pirates are set to lock horns against AmaZulu in a battle to retain their title. Another clash that is expected to produce fireworks is SuperSport United versus Stellenbosch as both sides look to seal their passage into the Last Four.
DStv Premiership champions and log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns will open the quarter-final stage with a much-anticipated encounter dubbed a Tshwane Derby against the University of Pretoria. Looking at other clashes, Chippa United are on a date against TS Galaxy as both mentors, Sead Ramovic and Thabo September look to have a claim in the next destination for the trophy.
Nedbank Cup: Who Will Dethrone Orlando Pirates?
While all the sides have shown their intentions to dethrone Pirates as reigning champions, this tournament will be one of the toughest competitions to predict. However, all will be clearer this coming weekend.
Nedbank Cup Last 8 Fixtures
| University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| Stellenbosch | SuperSport United |
| AmaZulu | Orlando Pirates |
| TS Galaxy | Chippa United |
Sundowns vs AmaTuks:
The Brazilians are also in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League and will look to make it through to this season’s Ke Yona semis. Sundowns meet an unfamiliar foe who campaigns in the NFD, as AmaTuks are identified as giant killers in South African football. Also gunning for PSL promotion, AmaTuks will meet Sundowns on Friday, 12 April at Lucas Moripe Stadium at 19:00. The clash has all the ingredients of a thriller.
Meanwhile, coach Rulani Mokwena and his men will first focus on the clash against Cape Town Spurs who are relegation candidates in the league on Tuesday night.
Pirates vs AmaZulu:
The Buccaneers are the current title holders and coach Jose Riveiro has only one mission to keep the trophy at Orlando Stadium. Meeting a fellow Spaniard, Pablo Franco Martin who is in charge of Usuthu, Pirates will not have it easy in Durban on Saturday as their hosts vowed. Fresh from dribbling another KZN side, Golden Arrows 7-1 last weekend, Pirates are in high spirits and will look to maintain their goalscoring prowess.
On the other hand, Martin is looking to end the unwanted run against the Soweto giants as Usuthu has yet to beat their counterparts since the 2013/14 season. The two will meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 18:00.
SuperSport vs Stellenbosch:
Inaugural Carling Knockout Cup champions, Stellies are chasing a double and will meet Amatsatsantsa A Pitori in a quest to reach the next stage. Coach Steve Barker is seriously building a formidable side and there’s no doubt they are recognised as title Nedbank Cup contenders.
For the three-time league champions, coach Gavin Hunt is facing a conundrum of fielding youngsters instead of seasoned campaigners. He is one of the bravest coaches who is not scared to gamble and it remains to be seen if his boys can stun Stellies. The two PSL sides will lock horns on Saturday afternoon at Danie Craven Stadium at 15:00.
“It’s a very competitive league, a lot of teams are very close to one another. I think it is the first time in a long time where you haven’t got a Vodacom or Motsepe team in the last 8 in a long time, every game is a tough game,” said Hunt.
“We all fish in the same barrel, that’s for sure. He’s lost a few players, I have also lost a few. But he replaced them well, and we also have replaced our players with a lot of young players. That’s the policy of our club, we believe it and we will go with it.”
Galaxy vs Chippa:
The Rockets are a revelation this season as they are fifth on the log table and will look to seal their campaign with a gold medal. Ramovic is chasing his maiden trophy and facing a tricky Chippa means they will not have an easy passage to the Last Four.
Chippa is confident after beating a lacklustre Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in the league last weekend. At the same time, the Chilli Boys are also gunning for their first Nedbank Cup title in their PSL history. The pair will face off on Sunday afternoon at the iconic Mbombela Stadium to complete the round of Last Eight.
Competition Games Schedule
- Quarter-finals: Saturday, 13 April
- Semi-finals: Saturday, 4 May
- Final: Saturday, 1 June
Nedbank Cup Prize Money 2024
The Nedbank prize money in 2024 will be allocated as follows:
- Winners: R7 million.
- Runners-up: R2.5 million.
- Semi-finalists: R1 million each.
- Quarter-finalists: R400,000 each.
- Round of 16: R200,000 each.
- Round of 32: R100,000 each.
Additional Notes:
Even teams that don’t progress beyond the initial qualifying rounds receive some financial compensation for participating.
The Nedbank Cup’s generous prize structure ensures that teams from all levels of South African football have the chance to gain significant financial rewards, adding to the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament.
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