PIC: Vaal University of Technology players celebrate victory after the 2020 Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash with Lamontville Golden Arrows

Some of the most memorable matches in South African football history have occurred in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup, with incredible drama, goals galore and upsets that shocked local football to its core.

The 18^th edition of the competition will take centre-stage later this month and to whet the appetite, we take a look down memory lane at 10 of the most outstanding matches from this stage of the competition since 2008.

March 15, 2008

Ikapa Sporting (0) 3 (Shu-Aib Walters 59og, Bradley August 66, Kurt Lentjies 89)
Bloemfontein Celtic (1) 2 (Moses Spandeel 8, 82)

First Division side Ikapa Sporting took on Bloemfontein Celtic in a see-saw battle that first swung in favour of the Premiership outfit, before the home team took control to secure a famous victory.
Celtic stalwart Moses Spandeel gave the visitors the lead early on, which they held until halftime, before the game changed 15 minutes into the second period.

Goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters scored an unfortunate own goal as the ball rebounded off him and into the net to bring Sporting level. Seven minutes later and the latter were in front as veteran striker Bradley August scored to make it 2-1.

Celtic thought they had taken the game to extra-time when Spandeel netted his second with eight minutes to go, but Kurt Lentjies found a winner just before full-time. 

March 15, 2008

AmaZulu (4) 14 (Shoes Moshoeu 2, Thabo Mabaso 12, 40, Dumisani Ngwenya 44, 54, 56, 69, 77, Siyabonga Mkhwanazi 63, 82, 85, Wilford Mathopha 72, 73, Sthembiso Dlamini 90)
Young Ones 0

This can only be described as a good old-fashioned cup thrashing as AmaZulu threatened to beat their own South African scoring record at the time of 16-0 set against Bizana Lucky Stars (1976) and Ford Pirates (1986).

It wasn’t to be, but they still had a rip-roaring time as Dumisani Ngwenya netted five goals, matching the feat that same season of Moroka Swallows’ James Chamanga, who also netted five times against Platinum Stars in the league in December 2007.

Siyabonga Mkhwanazi scored a hat-trick, while there were additional goals for the late, great Shoes Moshoeu, Thabo Mabaso (two), Wilford Mathopa (two) and Sthembiso Dlamini.
 

April 14, 2010

Platinum Stars (0) 2 (Kagiso Senamela 58, 73)
Als Puk Tawana (2) 3 (Lebepe Phetolo 12, Jabulani Shongwe 34, 64)

Third-tier side Als Puk Tawana secured a major scalp when they beat Premiership Platinum Stars in a North West Province Derby in the first round in 2010.
The lower league outfit, a feeder team for giants Mamelodi Sundowns, stunned their hosts with two first-half goals from Lebepe Phetolo and Jabulani Shongwe.

Stars got a goal back through Kagiso Senamela just before the hour mark and might have felt they were beginning to take control of the tie, before Shongwe netted his second to make the scoreline 3-1.

The minnows could have been further ahead too, but Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini saved defender Buhle Mkhwanazi's penalty, just to add to the drama. 

Senamela scored again to complete his brace and set up a barnstorming final 17 minutes, but try as they might, Dikwena could not find a way through. 

March 4, 2012

Powerlines FC 0

Mamelodi Sundowns (10) 24 (Kekana 7, 15, 32, 49, 61, 80, 81 Henyekane 11, 20, 56, 74, 76 Mushekwi 24, 42, 44, 45, 45, 52 Julies 54, 77 Pelembe 65, 71 Mokoena 73, 90)

This first round Nedbank Cup is the biggest win in South African football history as Northern Cape SAB Regional League side Powerlines are simply outclassed by Mamelodi Sundowns. 

It might have been more goals too had the visitors not missed a number of other chances in the game, a humbling experience for the minnows from Kimberley. 

Midfielder Hlompho Kekena got seven goals (he had only ever scored two goals in his career before this match), Zimbabwean striker Nyasha Mushekwi netted six and the late Richard Henyekane another five. Even debutant Samuel Julies got on the act, scoring twice.  
Sundowns were 10-0 up at halftime, but rather than take their foot off the pedal, they applied even more pressure in the second period, with then coach Johan Neeskens calling on his players to turn the screw. It was a harsh lesson for the amateur side. 

February 23, 2013

Maluti FET College (2) 4 (L Mokoena 1, 56 Rantabane 25, 81)

Orlando Pirates (0) 1 (Manyisa 59)

Third-tier Maluti FET College produce what is arguably the greatest ever cup shock in South African football history. Certainly in the top three.
The Free State side defeated 2011 Nedbank Cup champions Pirates in convincing fashion in what is perhaps a bigger surprise than Baroka FC’s 2011 quarterfinal win over Kaizer Chiefs. 
Maluti were ahead in just 47 seconds, Lucky Mokoena collecting a pass to score his first of the afternoon. 

Mashale Rantabane made it 2-0 when he headed home a free-kick, before Mokoena got his second with a looping header over Senzo Meyiwa to leave The Buccaneers stunned.

And Mokoena had a chance for the hat-trick when the home side were awarded a penalty, but he could not get power in his shot and the opportunity was wasted.

Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa pulled a goal back from Happy Jele’s square-ball, but Rantabane headed home with nine minutes remaining to secure a famous win.

Maluti proved the result was no fluke by winning promotion to the National First Division at the end of the season.

February 27, 2013

Black Leopards (2) [3] 5 (Amidu 3, 26, 94, 108 Monama 83) 

Cape Town All Stars (1) [3] 4 (Mitchell 21 Stanfield 80pen Kgafane 85 Memela 98) 

After extra-time

A nine-goal thriller that eventually ended on the side of Premiership Black Leopards against their third-tier rivals Cape Town All Stars after extra-time.

It was the second year in a row that All Stars were competing in the Nedbank Cup, they had been ousted by Kaizer Chiefs the season before, but might have felt there was more chance of an upset against Lidoda Duvha.

Zimbabwean striker Brian Amidu scored four goals on the night, a superb return from him that included two in extra-time. 
Amidu released a powerful shot from outside the box to score his first of the day, but All Stars equalised through Damien Mitchell from a brilliant curling free-kick. An excellent pass from Tiyani Mabunda enabled Amidu to score Leopards' second, but All Stars are awarded a penalty which Ismael Stanfield coolly slotted for 2-2. 

Raymond Monama scored what looked like a winner for the home side with seven minutes to go, but veteran midfielder Brian Kgafane equalised to force the match into extra-time. 

Monama then set up Amidu inside the visitors' box and the latter regained the lead. However, Luvuyo Memela equalised again from a set-piece for All Stars.

Just as it looked as though the game may head to a penalty shoot-out, Amidu scored his fourth of the match to settle the tie at last.  

February 22, 2015

Mainstay United (0) 1 (Ross 80)

Ajax Cape Town (4) 9 (Cale 10, 30, Losper 26, 33, Ross 68og, Mobara 73, Sadaoui 75, 78, Ngalande 88)

Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) eased to the biggest victory in their history as they thumped Northern Cape fourth-tier side Mainstay United 9-1 in the Last 32.

Ajax coach Roger de Sa made a number of changes for the game, giving opportunities to fringe players.

One of those, Noah Sadaoui took his chance with a brace of goals, netting twice in three minutes, while Malawian international Robin Ngalande also got his name on the scoresheet late on.

Mainstay United defender Rashid Ross had the unfortunate distinction of scoring at both ends of the pitch.

Veteran winger Franklin Cale got the team off to the perfect start with a goal inside the first 10 minutes, before he added a second on the half-hour mark. Youngsters Toriq Losper (two) and Abbubaker Mobara also got their name on the scoresheet.

It might have been a one-sided contest, but will go down in history as the day Ajax showed their true attacking potential.

March 11, 2017

KwaDukuza United (1) 2 (Zondi 9, Khumalo 71)

Ajax Cape Town (1) 2 (Makua 1 Nxumalo 62)

After extra-time; KwaDukuza won 4-3 on penalties
KwaZulu-Natal ABC Motsepe League side KwaDukuza Unite wrote their names into Nedbank Cup folklore with a shock victory over topflight Ajax Cape Town, although they did need penalties to finish the job.

The lower league side showed great mental strength to twice come from behind and take the game to spot-kicks, where they eventually triumphed 4-3.

Ajax had looked on course when Neo Makua put them ahead inside the first minute, but shortly afterwards the confident home side responded via striker Lungelo Zondi, who had also been part of the Natal United side that beat top-flight Chippa United in 2015.

Ajax were back in front just past the hour-mark through forward Prince Nxumalo, but once again they could not hold onto their lead as former African Warriors and Mthatha Bucks midfielder Khulu Khumalo equalised. 

That was the way it stayed and United were able to seal victory in the shoot-out, another notable scalp for coach Thami Ngubane.

February 8, 2020

Vaal University of Technology (1) 2 (Mawelewele 4, Hlongwane 88)
Lamontville Golden Arrows (1) 2 (Mokondo 11, Gumede 86)
After extra-time; VUT won 6-5 on penalties

One of the greatest Nedbank Cup upsets of all time as fourth-tier Vaal University of technology ousted topflight Lamontville Golden Arrows, the first time any club from the SAB Regional League have seen off Premiership opposition.
The match was played at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto and it was the students who took an early lead via Thakalane Mawelewele, but Golden Arrows hit back almost straight away as VUT captain Sibusiso Mokondo put the ball into his own net.
That was the way it stayed until the 86^th minute when Abafana Bes’thende hit the front thanks to Michael Gumede, and it seemed then they would go on for the hard-fought win.
But that lead lasted only two minutes until Reitumetse Hlongwane equalised for VUT to send the game to extra-time and, ultimately, penalties. 
VUT scored all six of their spot-kicks, and when Lindokuhle Mtshali missed for Golden Arrows, the famous win in the tie was secured.

February 8, 2023

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Fox 18 og)
Dondol Stars (0) 2 (Molefe 51, Monama 76)

Three-time Nedbank Cup winners SuperSport United were overwhelming favourites going into their Last 32 clash with Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Dondol Stars, even if they did have some serious injury concerns around key players. 
They did field a makeshift side with striker Thamsanqa Gabuza at centre-back and several other players out of position, but still expected to get a comfortable win.
That was especially the case when Stars defender Revaldo Fox put the ball into his own net on 18 minutes to give the Premiership side the lead.
But this Stars team would later show they had tremendous fight in them, and no shortage of quality, and so it proved as they roared back in the second half.
Forward Relebogile Molefe found an equaliser on 51 minutes and that swung the momentum in the favour of the visitors, who then led via Kholofelo Monama, who had experienced in the Nedbank Cup with Great North all the way back in 2014. 
Stars managed to hold on and would go on to beat AmaZulu in the next stage before a quarterfinal loss to eventual winners Orlando Pirates on penalties. This was one of the great runs by a third-tier side in the competition’s history.