PIC: Peter Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns is challenged by Tshepo Gumede of Marumo Gallants during the 2022 Nedbank Cup final

The Nedbank Cup Last 16 draw was completed on Wednesday evening with a number of tasty matchups. Here is a quick guide to the eight games that will be played from March 7-11.

ORLANDO PIRATES VS VENDA FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Pirates will be delighted with the home draw and will fancy their chances of getting past the mid-table second-tier side from Venda. The Buccaneers only ever loss to lower league opponents in the Nedbank Cup was to Maluti FET College in 2012. They otherwise have a strong record. This will be the first time Venda have met top tier opposition in the competition.

LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS VS ROYAL AM
A KwaZulu-Natal Derby, this is one of three all-DStv Premiership clashes in the Last 16 draw. These two met as recently as 11 days ago when Royal AM picked up a 2-1 away win in the league, with the only other games between the two last season both ending in draws. Royal AM were Nedbank Cup semifinalist in 2022.

MARUMO GALLANTS VS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
A repeat of the final last year which Sundowns won at the very end of extra-time, Gallants have seen a recent resurgence and have won their last three games. Sundowns are having arguably the most dominant domestic season ever but this will be a test against a side hungry for revenge. Sundowns’ only previous two away games at Gallants ended in 3-1 and 4-0 wins.

CHIPPA UNITED VS MPHENI HOME DEFENDERS
Chippa will host Limpopo third-tier side Home Defenders who will be a great unknown to them. Chilli Boyz coach Morgan Mammila had said he hoped to get a topflight team who he could at least plan for. No such luck though. Home Defenders are debuting in the Nedbank Cup this year and beat fellow third-tier side Clarewood JMP in the last round. 

DONDOL STARS VS AMAZULU
Giant-killers Dondol Stars will welcome topflight AmaZulu to their Gauteng home and will hope for a repeat of their ousting of SuperSport United in the Last 32. For Usuthu it is a second ABC Motsepe League side in as many rounds after they saw off Tornado FC 3-2 in the opening stage. This one might just be another upset!

KAIZER CHIEFS VS CASRIC STARS
This will be a sixth time in 11 Nedbank Cup games that Chiefs have faced a side from outside the topflight. They needed extra-time to beat Maritzburg United in the last round while Casric Stars were handsome 4-0 winners over minnows Mkhambathi FC. Stars have been flying in the second-tier this season and have a side that will definitely trouble the AmaKhosi.

SEKHUKHUNE UNITED VS CAPE TOWN SPURS
Sekhukhune won in the Nedbank Cup for the first time when they beat fourth-tier Liver Brothers 6-0 in the Last 32, but now face a much tricker opponent. Spurs have been in excellent form in the second-tier and brushed aside Baroka FC 3-0 in the last round. The home side will be favourites, but Spurs coach Shaun Bartlett will have a plan for them. 

TS GALAXY VS STELLENBOSCH FC

The 2019 champions Galaxy come up against a Stellenbosch side who have largely disappointed in this competition but were excellent to win 3-0 against Swallows in this year’s Last 32. Stellies have targeted this trophy to sow their progression as a club and will be well up for the challenge. These sides have met seven times before with Stellenbosch winning four of those to go with three draws. Galaxy will be seeking history.