UMVOTI FC coach Ayanda Dlamini ill be looking to cause an upset against Baroka in the Nedbank Cup. Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
The prospect of ending a pending trophy drought engulfs KwaZulu-Natal-based clubs this weekend as the Nedbank Cup takes centre stage.
The province will have seven clubs competing in the last 32 round of the competition with clubs like Umvoti (ABC Motsepe League), Milford and Durban City (both Motsepe Foundation Championship) joining the elite four in the competition.
With a 16-year drought becoming more of a worry with each passing year, optimism will stretch to all corners of the province with ‘the Cup of Dreams’ at their door step.
The first club to take the field is the last KZN club to lift a trophy, Golden Arrows, welcome Chippa United to the Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.
🎙️ PRESS CONFERENCE 🎙️
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) January 22, 2025
“Coach Bilankulu made it clear that the club, coaching staff and players are ready to give 100 percent effort as we target silverware in the #NedbankCup this year and are well prepared ahead of the fixture against Chippa United”#10betgoldenarrows… pic.twitter.com/69Dv7STm88
These two teams have already met this season in the Betway Premiership with the Chilli Boys walking away comfortable two-nil winners.
However, a lot has changed since last October with huge changes on both benches as Mabhuti Khenyeza swapped the green and yellow of the Arrows for the fellow coastal side the Chilli Boys.
Khenyeza, who now serves as an assistant to Thabo September will face his former assistants Musa Bilankulu and Kagiso Dikgacoi, which is expected to be a tactical exhibition on the day.
At the same time, fresh-faced Durban City will be looking to keep their 2024/2025 season momentum going when they kick off in the North West.
Formerly known as Maritzburg United, City currently top the second division standings but will put that aside when they visit the Olympia Park for a clash against third tier side Lerumo Lions.
City head coach Simo Dladla already indicated an intention to rest some of his regulars for this encounter and hopes to have enough quality to get the job done against a side a league below.
The now Pinetown-based side are expected to be one of the sides to make the round of 16 given the nature of their opposition.
A season full of goals for Joslin Kamatuka at Durban City 🇳🇦🇿🇦#MotsepeFoundationChampionship #NFD pic.twitter.com/K3XMnP629E
— Hitji Katjatenja (@hitjisports) January 14, 2025
Former AmaZulu head coach Ayanda Dlamini will attempt to cause one of the upsets of the round as he leads Umvoti from the third tier against Baroka FC on Saturday at 3pm.
The ex-Usuthu player turned coach and his side are currently in a heated bid for promotion in their league but will refocus their energy on possible cup success in the process.
Speaking to the media in the leadup to their match, Dlamini expressed his desire to help some of his players grow and perhaps land themselves opportunities at higher leagues.
“I’m there because I want to help these boys reach higher levels, I had my chance and it passed but now it’s a big opportunity for these boys to expose themselves to all levels and hopefully impress a few eyes,” he said.
The commencement of the game between Royal AM and Milford, originally scheduled for Monday, hangs in the balance with Thwihli Thwahla’s meeting the Premier Soccer League scheduled for Friday.