Cup of dreams

Ishmael ‘Nandos’ Makhema - SLSC Gauteng Branch Manager

On the Nedbank Cup Last 32 results

The Nedbank Cup has once again pulled another batch of surprises on us. This cup has a history of being the one that sees David defeating Goliath. Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 to Chippa United and Orlando Pirates lost to Black Leopards in the penalty shootout – there is always a giant falling in this cup! Maritzburg United and Polokwane City were the two Absa Premiership sides knocked out by lower division sides in Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Witbank Spurs respectively. That is what makes this competition exciting. We also saw ABC Motsepe League side Tornado FC putting up a brave fight against Kaizer Chiefs. This shows that this is a cup of dreams. But another thing it has shown us this time around is that there are no more small teams in the Absa Premiership, as all the games have been tough and unpredictable. I am happy that my team Highlands Park is still in the competition. We want this to be our first Absa Premiership trophy, just like Baroka FC won their first cup in December.

On CAF Champions League fixtures

Both Pirates and Sundowns are in action this weekend in the CAF Champions League. Sundowns play Asec Mimosas on Friday, while Pirates will take on Esperance on Saturday. Both teams have a chance of qualifying for knockout stages of the competition, but they need to make sure of getting maximum points at home. One can never overemphasize the importance of support for our teams in these games. We really need to adopt what the other African countries do and fill up the stadium when our teams play at home in these games. It doesn’t matter who you support domestically, but in continental competitions, we need to be united for the cause.

Thank you Nandos