PIC: Mbongeni Mzimela of Chippa United saves a penalty during the 2019 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Bidvest Wits

The Nedbank Cup quarterfinals have produced one of the greatest upsets in South African football history as then third-tier Baroka FC defeated the mighty Kaizer Chiefs in 2011.

But there have been many other classic clashes down the years at this stage of the competition, where teams are just two wins away from the most prestigious cup final in the domestic game.

Here are 10 matches that will live long in the memory.

 

April 19, 2008

Black Leopards (2) 2 (Christopher Netshidzivhe 19, Mulondo Sikhwivhilu 32)

AmaZulu (2) 3 (Mpho Maleka 36, 41, 79)

Black Leopards looked to have comfortably secured their place in the 2008 Nedbank Cup semifinals as Christopher Netshidzivhe and Mulondo Sikhwivhilu put the home side 2-0 up and cruising just past the half-hour mark.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man and Mpho Maleka netted an excellent hat-trick to bring his side back from the dead.

They were on level terms just before halftime and Maleka completed his scoring feat on 80 minutes to give Usuthu a semifinal appearance, where they would lose to 1-0 to eventual winners Mamelodi Sundowns.

 

April 11, 2009

Winners Park (1) [2] 3 (Tshepo Malesa 7, Ndumiso Mabena 90, Dennis Chauke 93)

Ajax Cape Town (1) [2] 3 (Mabhuti Khenyeza 15, Thulani Serero 87, Franklin Cale 95)

After extra-time; Ajax win 4-2 on penalties

There were six goals, two missed spot-kicks in ordinary time and a red card in what was a real ‘blood and thunder’ cup tie between the Premiership visitors and their First Division hosts.

Tshepo Malesa opened the scoring for Winners Park, before Mabhuti Khenyeza equalised for the Urban Warriors. Both sides missed penalties within minutes of each other late in the game, but still managed goals as first Thulani Serero saw his cross float over goalkeeper Makweni Mayala, before Ndumiso Mabena, now at Orlando Pirates, equalised seconds later.

The game went into extra time and the home side took the lead through a deflected effort from Desmond Chauke, but Franklin Cale scored a sublime equaliser from distance. 

Rufus Mokoti received his marching orders for terrible challenge as Winners Park finished the game with 10 men.

But Mabena missed his second penalty of the day and Noel Mwandile followed suit as Ajax, now known as Cape Town Spurs, won the shoot-out.

 

May 9, 2010

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) [1] 3 (Koketso Mmotong 78, Lebohang Mokoena 93, Benedict Vilakazi 116)

Orlando Pirates (1) [1] 1 (Isaac Chansa 7pen)

After extra-time

Rather than a David versus Goliath clash, this quarterfinal was a meeting between two of the powerhouses of South African football and it produced a thriller that would see sweet revenge for two ex-Orlando Pirates stars.

The Buccaneers took an early lead from the penalty-spot through Isaac Chansa and they dominated large parts of the match, having chances to extend their advantage.

But Koketso Mmotong, getting a rare bit of game-time for The Brazilians, equalised with 12 minutes to go, forcing the match into extra-time.

It was Sundowns who had the greater impetus in the final 30 minutes and Lebohang Mokoena netted against his former teammates just three minutes after the restart.

As the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they were left exposed at the back and another of their former stalwarts, Benedict Vilakazi, who holds the record as the highest goalscorer in the history of Pirates, netted for his new side Sundowns to put the game to bed.

 

April 24, 2011

Baroka FC (1) 2 (Sam Ndlovu 44, Thobani Mncwango 90)

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 1 (Knowledge Musona 36)

This match provided the biggest upset in South African football history at the time and is the only occasion to date Kaizer Chiefs had been beaten by third-tier opposition in their illustrious 53-year history.

It continued the fairytale for minnows Baroka FC and made their players instant celebrities in the domestic game, as well as hugely raising the profile of coach Sello Chokoe.

It all appeared to be going to plan for AmaKhosi as Zimbabwean hot-shot Knowledge Musona put Chiefs ahead in the 36th minute. Skipper Jimmy Tau raced down the right and crossed for Musona, whose left footed strike hit the roof of the net.

But Baroka were back on level terms just a minute before the break, veteran Sam Ndlovu heading home from a corner to stun the visitors.

Chiefs had numerous opportunities in the second half to secure the win, but after a litany of misses, were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.

Baroka striker Thobani Mncwango bundled the ball home in injury-time after a melee in the box to complete the greatest victory in the club’s history.

 

April 10, 2015

Ajax Cape Town (1) 2 (Tashreeq Morris 14, Bantu Mzwakali 89)

BidVest Wits (0) 1 (Thulani Hlatshwayo 90)

Ajax Cape Town edged an extraordinary Nedbank Cup quarterfinal but those in Bidvest Wits colours must to this day be wondering how they managed to come out second best.

The Gauteng club created chance after chance and managed to hit the woodwork on three occasions, before finally getting a consolation goal late on.

This after Tashreeq Morris and Bantu Mzwakali had given Ajax what looked a decisive advantage very much against the run of play.

After that Wits hit the woodwork twice through Sibusiso Vilakazi and Buhle Mkhwanazi, while Sameegh Doutie also missed two outstanding chances. Siyabonga Nhlapho then missed an even better one inside the box when he shot over the bar, and Ajax goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola had to make a fine one-on-one save against Vilakazi to keep his side in the lead.

Wits hit the post again late on when Ben Motshwari's first-time strike cannoned back off Jaakkola's right-hand upright, and then tall Ethiopian striker Fikru Tefera missed another one-on-one with the keeper.

Ajax grabbed their second on the counter-attack as Keagan Dolly's cross from the left found Mzwakali unmarked in the area and he put the chance away.

There was still time for more drama though as Hlatshwayo pulled one back immediately for Wits with a brilliant bicycle-kick finish as they finally found the back of the net in a game they might easily have won 10-2.

 

April 11, 2015

Black Leopards (1) [1] 2 (Roggert Nyundu 17, Morgan Shivambu 99)

Vasco da Gama (0) [1] 3 (Ndiviwe Mdabuka 70, Zeka Karkee 105, Mbulelo Wambi 108)

After extra-time

This see-saw quarterfinal match was played in front of a packed Thohoyandou Stadium with Vasco da Gama coming out surprise 3-3 winners over fellow National First Division outfit Black Leopards.

Leopards have always been ferocious in front of their own fans, but were undone by tenacity of Vasco, who claimed the win in extra-time.

Vasco had made a bright start to the game as midfielder Samuel Julies saw his early effort saved.

But the expected script soon arrived as Leopards hit the front with prolific forward Roggert Nyundu scoring from a free-kick. Nyundu might have had second from another set-piece, but saw his effort come back agonisingly off the woodwork.

Vasco also struck a post in the second half through Jonathan Armogam, a sign of their danger, and they were level with 20 minutes to go as Ndiviwe Mdabuka equalised.

That forced the game into extra-time and it was the hosts who took control once more as Morgan Shivambu netted on 99 minutes.

But after Zeka Karkee had equalised for Vasco, Mbulelo Wambi grabbed a brilliant winner as he rifled home a free-kick from 35-yards to record a famous win for the visitors.

 

April 1, 2018

Cape Town City (0) 1 (Surprise Ralani 69’)

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 2 (Percy Tau 54’, Hlompho Kekana 62’)

Mamelodi Sundowns emerged victorious in this high-quality Nedbank Cup quarterfinal that was thrill-a-minute and filled with end-to-end action.

Gaston Sirino struck the underside of the crossbar midway through the first half for the visitors, before Sibusiso Vilakazi put the ball against the post from Percy Tau’s low centre.

The latter did make the breakthrough nine minutes into the second half when he was sent through by Khama Billiat and supplied and neat finish, before skipper Hlompho Kekana scored with 30-yard pile-driver that looked to have sealed the game for the visitors.

But City kept on attacking and the excellent Surprise Ralani, who was named Man of the Match and later joined Sundowns, pulled one back to set up a grandstand final 20 minutes.

Ayanda Patosi had a chance to level the scores three minutes from time, but put his header wide and an epic cup tie went the way of Sundowns.

 

March 30, 2019

BidVest Wits (2) [3] 4 (Gift Motupa 21’, Terrence Dzvukamanja 45’, 82’, Deon Hotto 109’)

Chippa United (1) [3] 4 (Andile Mbenyane 4’, Boikanyo Komane 63’pen, Ruzaigh Gamildien 90’, Rhulani Manzini 95’)

After extra-time; Chippa won 5-3 on penalties

Arguably one of the greatest Nedbank Cup matches in any round, there were eight goals, extra-time and penalties needed to separate these teams in a true knockout classic.

Andile Mbenyane gave Chippa an early lead, but Wits responded and were ahead going into halftime as Gift Motupa and Terrence Dzvukamanja found the back of the net.

Boikanyo Komane equalised once more, before Dzvukamanja netted what looked like the winner with eight minutes remaining.

But Ruzaigh Gamildien equalised in first half injury time to force the game into extra-time, though that would not be the end of the drama as Rhulani Manzini gave the visitors the lead once more.

Deon Hotto made sure the game went to penalties though as he blasted in a super equaliser, only for Elias Pelembe to miss his spot-kick in the shoot-out and Chippa score all five of theirs.

 

April 15, 2021

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 4 (Peter Shalulile 12’, Themba Zwane 49’, Lesedi Kapinga 78’, Hlompho Kekana 86’)

Orlando Pirates (1) 1 (Tshegofatso Mabasa 33’) 

This was a pulsating tie that was perhaps closer than the scoreline suggests, with Sundowns only running away with it in the closing stages. 

The expert finishing of Peter Shalulile gave Sundowns the lead, but Pirates levelled before the break through striker Tshegofatso Mabasa.

An excellent goal from Themba Zwane restored the advantage early in the second period, before Pirates threw everything they had at The Brazilians. 

But just as they were pushing more players forward in search of the equaliser, they were hit by a third from Lesedi Kapinga to kill the contest.

Hlompho Kekana got a late fourth, a goal that also took him to the top of the all-time Nedbank Cup scorers charts with 11 strikes, though he has since been eclipsed by Shalulile, who has 14 to his name.   

 

April 8, 2022
TTM (0) [2] 3 (Tumi Ngwepe 69', Naeem Amoojee 85', Tumelo Makha 101')

SuperSport United (1) [2] 2 (Jesse Donn 17’, Gamphani Lungu 63’pen) 
After extra-time
A rip-roaring cup tie with a slice of history as SuperSport United had never lost to lower league opponents in their history before this fateful evening.
And there seemed no chance of that as they went 2-0 up against second-tier TTM past the hour-mark, seemingly on their way to a routine victory as fans were allowed back into the stadia having been kept away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Midfielder Jesse Donn put them in front with a sumptuous strike before Zambian forward Gamphani Lungu added a second from the penalty-spot. They also hit the woodwork twice.
Maybe Matsatsantsa relaxed after that, but TTM found a way back. A world-class strike from Tumi Ngwepe made the scoreline 2-1, before Naeem Amoojee equalised with five minutes left to send the game to extra-time.
The winner came via a fine volley from Tumelo Makha as TTM completed the most remarkable of comebacks.