‘Big Three’ chase Nedbank Cup progression

The ‘Big Three’ of the Premier Soccer League – Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – will chase progression in the Nedbank Cup when the quarterfinals are held across Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 March 2025.

The trio of heavyweights are all in action on Saturday, starting with an afternoon clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium which sees SuperSport United host Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers (slightly) narrowed the gap to Sundowns at the top of the league standings thanks to a 1-0 away win over Chippa United in midweek, while Matsatsantsa’s struggles continued with an insipid 0-0 draw at home to AmaZulu FC.

In the early evening at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Stellenbosch FC will tackle Kaizer Chiefs. Both teams secured midweek league wins (1-0 over Marumo Gallants and Magesi FC respectively), but Stellies come into the clash unhappy that the unavailability of the Cape Town Stadium has seen this game moved to Gqeberha.

“I need to make it clear. I'm very disappointed that we can't play a quarterfinal of the Nedbank Cup in front of our home fans,” said coach Steve Barker. “It's not good for us as a team, as a club and it’s not good for our fans. It is disappointing.”

Saturday’s third and final clash comes from the Lucas Moripe Stadium, as Mamelodi Sundowns host Sekhukhune United.

The Brazilians dropped points in the league in midweek, drawing 1-1 away to Golden Arrows, while Babina Noko succumbed 2-1 at the hands of Richards Bay.

“Congratulations to my players, they made a good game, a very good second half, in terms of battling for the result, unfortunately we could not get it,” said ‘Downs coach Miguel Cardoso, who was left frustrated by the result against Arrows. "Let's rest and continue to move forward in order to be as best as possible in the next matches.”

The lone fixture on Sunday sees Durban City – the only remaining non-top-flight team in the Nedbank Cup – play host to Marumo Gallants. City (formerly Maritzburg United) are top of the second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship and looking a strong bet to secure direct promotion to the Premiership.

Their run in the Cup has effectively been a “free hit” according to coach Simo Dladla, who insists that their league campaign remains the priority.

“We appreciate this [advancing in the Nedbank Cup] because it gives us more games to integrate players and, of course, one eye is on the league because that's where our bread and butter [is],” said Dladla.

The four winners from this weekend’s matches will advance into the semifinals, which are scheduled to be held on 12-13 April.

Nedbank Cup quarterfinal fixtures

Times CAT

Saturday, 8 March
- 3pm: SuperSport United v Orlando Pirates
- 6pm: Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs
- 8pm: Mamelodi Sundowns v Sekhukhune United

Sunday, 9 March
- 3pm: Durban City v Marumo Gallants