Nedbank Cup quarterfinals a giant carrot for teams

We already know that University of Pretoria have reached a second Nedbank Cup quarterfinal in three years, while AmaZulu have made it to the last-8 for the first time in 12 seasons as both hunt a maiden trophy win in the competition.

But of the remaining 12 teams, when was the last time they reached the quarterfinal stage?

Second-tier Milford FC and Hungry Lions have never done it, while ABC Motsepe League sides FC Ravens and D’General are also hoping to make history this weekend.

But here is the lowdown on the other eight clubs.

MARITZBURG UNITED

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2018

Now a second-tier team, Maritzburg United have not been to the quarterfinals since they went all the way to the decider in 2018, where they lost 1-0 to Free State Stars in Cape Town. They met Bloemfontein Celtic in the last-8 that season ad triumphed 2-1. That was a United team packed with talent.

TS GALAXY

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2019

Galaxy have only been to the quarterfinals once before but it proved a memorable occasion as the then second tier side went on to lift the trophy, beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final in Durban. Their last-8 clash that year was against fellow second-tier side Cape Umoya United as they won 2-1.

RICHARDS BAY

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2021

Richards Bay’s only previous quarterfinal appearance was three years ago when they still campaigned in the second tier as they defeated Kaizer Chiefs and TS sporting on their way to a 2-1 away loss to eventual finalists Chippa United.

SUPERSPORT UNITED

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2022

SuperSport United are three time winners of the Nedbank Cup in its current guise, but have only one quarterfinal showing since they last lifted the trophy in 2017. That was a shock 3-2 loss to second-tier TTM in 2022, a game in which they led 2-0 but contrived to throw it away.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2023

Sundowns have appeared in the quarterfinals in each of the last four seasons, and in 12 of the 16 previous Nedbank Cup seasons. Last year they came unstock against a Stellenbosch FC side that put in a superb counterattack performance and ended up 2-1 winners.

CHIPPA UNITED

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2023

Chippa have made the quarterfinals four times in the last seven years, including in 2023 when they lost 2-1 to eventual finalists Sekhukhune United. They had won their previous three last-8 matches up to that point.

STELLENBOSCH FC

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2023

Stellies’ one and only visit to the last-8 so far was 12 months ago and a memorable occasion to was too as they ousted all-conquering Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 as Iqraam Rayners scored a brace. They lost in the semis to Sekhukhune United via a penalty shoot-out.

ORLANDO PIRATES

Last Nedbank Cup quarterfinal: 2023

The current holders had quite the scare in the quarterfinals on their way to lifting the trophy last year. They met third-tier Dondol Stars, who had already ousted SuperSport United and AmaZulu from the competition. Pirates needed penalties to see off their plucky opponents following a 1-1 draw.