Do or die dilemma in the Nedbank Cup

Two Absa Premiership teams from the Limpopo Province, Polokwane CIty FC and Baroka FC, will meet in a crucial Nedbank Cup last 32 derby on Tuesday, 11 February.

The good news, however, is that regardless of the outcome at the end of the match, one of the two teams is guaranteed a place in the last 16 stages of the competition, while the other is certain to go packing from the tournament’s first round.

In the northernmost parts of the province, Thohoyandou Black Leopards FC will host the ABC Motsepe League side, North West University FC, on Sunday 9 February.

Northwest West University FC denied Limpopo soccer lovers an opportunity to have a representation from the lower leagues, after beating Sekhukhune Region’s Kingborn FC in the play-offs ahead of the last 32 stages of the tournament.

Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium will be a hive of activity, with people from various parts of the country expected to flock to the Pretoria soccer venue for the Tshwane derby between Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Supersport United FC on Saturday 8 February.

In other fixtures on Saturday, Absa Premiership pacesetters, Kaizer Chiefs FC, will host GladAfrica campaigners, Royal Eagles FC, at the FNB Stadium, while Bloemfontein Celtic FC welcomes Amazulu FC at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.

The Mpumalanga-based ABC Motsepe League side, Passion FC, welcomes KwaZulu-Natal’s Real Kings FC at the Kameelrivier Stadium, while Eastern Cape’s Amavarara FC hosts Super Eagles FC from the Free State at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

Other Saturday cup clashes include the one between Highlands Park FC and Uthongathi FC at Makhulong Stadium in Ekurhuleni, while Vaal University of Technology FC takes on Golden Arrows FC at Dobsonville Stadium.

On Sunday Jomo Cosmos FC will be home to Hungry Lions FC at Olën Park Stadium in the North West university town of Potchefstroom, while Mbombela United FC lock horns with Cape Town City FC at KaNyamazane Stadium.

One among the Absa Premiership chasing pack, Orlando Pirates FC, will host Bidvest Wits FC at Soweto’s Orlando Stadium.

Maritzburg United FC will travel to Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Friday, while Zizwe United FC hosts Happy Wanderers FC, also at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday.

The Nedbank Cup was scheduled to kick off with a midweek fixture between Chippa United FC and TS Galaxy FC at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while Ajax Cape Town FC hosts TS Sporting FC at Athlone Stadium.

— The BEAT