Nedbank Cup round-up: Hungry Lions out but top teams show their class

NORTHERN Cape Nedbank Cup hopefuls Hungry Lions had their dreams of advancing in the competition dashed on Sunday when Mpheni Home Defenders thrashed them 3-1 in Thohoyandou.

However, as the Nedbank Cup enters the Round of 32, the competition has already showcased thrilling matches and a few unexpected turns. Though Northern Cape soccer fans have seen their team dumped, the excitement continues to build as the country’s top teams continue to advance. But there have been a few surprises along the way.

Besides Hungry Lions, several teams have been eliminated from the competition. Notably, Royal AM has faced significant challenges due to financial issues, leading to the suspension of their matches. Their Round of 32 match against Milford FC remains unresolved, casting uncertainty on their continued participation in the tournament.

But on the positive side, several teams have successfully advanced to the Round of 16.

Orlando Pirates, the defending champions, delivered a commanding performance with a 3-1 victory over Richards Bay. Kaizer Chiefs showed that they had learned from their stumble at the same stage last year and also impressed, securing a dominant 4-0 win against Free Agents.

Betway Premiership front-runners Mamelodi Sundowns showed their class as they triumphed over Sibanye Golden Stars with a 5-2 score.

In other results, Chippa United edged out Lamontville Golden Arrows 2-1. Baroka FC defeated Umvoti FC 3-0, Cape Town Spurs overcame Venda FC 3-1, Durban City won 2-0 against Lerumo Lions, and Polokwane City narrowly defeated The Bees 1-0.

As mentioned earlier, Mpheni Home Defenders pulled off an upset by beating Hungry Lions, making them the only third-tier team to advance.

Then, on Monday, Sekhukhune United beat Cape Town City 2-0 in their clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, adding to the Cape team’s woes.

Several matches are also still to be played in the Round of 32, adding to the anticipation.

AmaZulu takes on Mighty Eagles, Stellenbosch FC clashes with Kruger United, and Magesi FC goes up against SuperSport United on Tuesday, while TS Galaxy will battle CR Vasco Da Gama on Wednesday.

No doubt, with the competition heating up, even the top teams cannot afford to rest on their laurels. Being a cup competition, anything can happen on match day and therefore no team can be disregarded at this point.