NEDBANK CUP: Tough start for Chiefs as Last 32 draw throws up thrilling ties

Champions Kaizer Chiefs face a tough start to the defence of their Nedbank Cup title when they travel to fellow Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch FC in the Last 32.

It is a repeat of last season’s quarterfinal, which Chiefs won 3-1 on their way to beating Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates in the final and ending a 10-year trophy drought.

It is about as difficult an opening draw as they could have imagined, and new Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt, previously in charge of the AmaKhosi, will be eager to claim a major scalp early in his tenure.

Chiefs’ victory last season denied Pirates a hat-trick of Nedbank Cup titles.

Round of 32 fixtures confirmed ✅

The #NedbankCup draw is complete 🤝#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/PbXpWXXqOf — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 15, 2026

Orlando Pirates, however, have a much gentler start this year as they travel to Venda to face Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, now a third-tier side in the ABC Motsepe League.

Pirates will expect to progress from that tie. TTM reached the semifinals in 2022 but are no longer the same club that lifted the trophy under that name the previous year, having since been rebranded as Marumo Gallants.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Motsepe Foundation Championship side Gomora United as they continue a recent trend of being drawn against lower-league opposition in the Nedbank Cup.

There are several all-Betway Premiership ties, with Durban City hosting Chippa United, Polokwane City welcoming AmaZulu, Orbit College travelling to Lamontville Golden Arrows, 2019 winners TS Galaxy hosting Marumo Gallants, and Siwelele facing Richards Bay.

The only fourth-tier side in the Last 32, Free State outfit FC Cardinals, take on third-tier Jacksa Spears, who are appearing in the Last 32 for the first time since 2013.

Army Rockets FC from the North West province will host second-tier Casric Stars, while Super Soweto United M-17 welcome current Motsepe Foundation Championship leaders Milford.

One place in the Last 32 remains undecided, pending the conclusion of the Western Cape qualifiers this weekend.

The team that advances will host Mpumalanga third-tier side Luthuli Brigades.

2026 NEDBANK CUP LAST 32 DRAW

Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs

Army Rockets FC v Casric Stars

Hungry Lions v University of Pretoria

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v Orlando Pirates

Durban City v Chippa United

Polokwane City v AmaZulu

SSU M-17 FC v Milford FC

SAFA Western Cape* v Luthuli Brigades

FC Cardinals v Jacksa Spears

Mkhambathi FC v Lerumo Lions

Upington City v Magesi FC

Highbury FC v Sekhukhune United

Lamontville Golden Arrows v Orbit College

Mamelodi Sundowns v Gomora United

TS Galaxy v Marumo Gallants

Siwelele v Richards Bay

* Team still to be determined