PIC: Free State Stars were Nedbank Cup winners in 2018

With the winners from the last four seasons of the Nedbank Cup all out before the quarter-final stage, a new name will be etched into history in 2026.
Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns all suffered early exits, with TS Galaxy the only previous champions left in the field ahead of this weekend’s last-eight fixtures.
There have been surprise winners in the past, clubs not widely tipped for glory at the start of the campaign, and we look back at five of those since Nedbank took over sponsorship in 2008.

2009 – Moroka Swallows
Not the biggest shock, as they had been champions five years earlier, but Moroka Swallows outlasted the traditional heavyweights to lift the title with a 1-0 victory over Steve Barker’s second-tier University of Pretoria in the final at Rand Stadium.
Swallows were coached by Brazilian Júlio Leal and had several South Americans in their squad. One of them, Vinicius Da Silva, scored the winner in the 21st minute of the final.
They defeated lower-league sides Real Madrid and Peace Lovers FC in the opening rounds before overcoming Maritzburg United and Black Leopards to reach the decider. It was their fifth, and ultimately last, FA Cup triumph.

2010 – BidVest Wits
BidVest Wits claimed their second title in the competition, 32 years after their first. While the 3-0 scoreline against AmaZulu in the final appears emphatic, it did not reflect the balance of play.
The match was staged at the newly reconstructed Soccer City, just months before the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Wits had beaten Nathi Lions, Thanda Royal Zulu, FC Cape Town and Free State Stars en route to the final.
Coach Roger de Sá, assisted by current Sekhukhune United mentor Eric Tinkler, led the team into a tight contest that remained goalless for 72 minutes. AmaZulu had opportunities to take the lead, but once Brazilian forward Fabrício Rodrigues scored for Wits, the game opened up. Sifiso Vilakazi added two late goals to seal the victory.

2018 – Free State Stars
Free State Stars secured their first major trophy with a 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in the 2018 final in Cape Town.
Both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns reached the semi-finals, but it was Stars and United who progressed to the decider. Coached by Luc Eymael, Stars beat Chiefs 2-0 in Durban in the semi-finals to book their place.
The final was closely contested and settled by Goodman Dlamini’s goal just before halftime.
Stars were relegated the following season and sold their top-flight status in 2022.

2019 – TS Galaxy
Second-tier TS Galaxy made history by becoming the first club from outside the top flight to win the Nedbank Cup, defeating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final in Durban.
The match appeared destined for extra time before Zakhele Lepasa converted a late penalty to secure the trophy for coach Dan Malesela’s side.
Galaxy had already shown their credentials by eliminating top-flight teams Bloemfontein Celtic and Lamontville Golden Arrows earlier in the competition. They remain the only lower-division side to have lifted the trophy and later established themselves in the Premiership after purchasing the status of Highlands Park.

2021 – Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), later rebranded Marumo Gallants, were surprise winners under coach Dylan Kerr as they defeated Chippa United 1-0 in the final.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was the match-winner, scoring with a deflected effort that proved decisive.
TTM had purchased the status of BidVest Wits earlier that year and were later sold to the Gallants ownership, but they made an immediate impact by claiming silverware in their debut top-flight season.