Table is set for 2015 Nedbank Cup
Venues and times for the round of 32 matches will be announced in February.
IT is always a fact in sport that you have a 50/50 chance of winning if you step onto the playing field. When the draw of the last 32 for the Nedbank Cup 2015 took place on Thursday January 15 a few surprises came out of the package, but mostly it was a subtle draw for some of the PSL clubs.
Running in its eighth year, the Nedbank Cup is one of the most lucrative domestic cup competitions in Africa and features 16 clubs from the Premier Soccer League, eight from South African Football Association leagues and eight National First Division clubs.
The smaller clubs can pave their way through to the play-offs if they are smart enough to take down the so-called money runners in the game – the bigger PSL clubs which includes Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits. Thus going onto the playing field the teams from SAFA and NFD will have their work cut out against some of the PSL clubs.
Nedbank, in partnership with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) officially drew the battle lines on Thursday night – a first step towards determining who would be crowned champions of the 2014/15 Nedbank Cup.
Coaches of participating teams attended the draw to see who they will face in the first round of 32 clubs battling it out from Tuesday February 17. At stake is the grand prize of R7 million. Fans will remember how a packed Moses Mabhida stadium staged the grand finale when Orlando Pirates from the South lifted the coveted Nedbank Cup trophy after beating a resilient Bidvest Wits 3 – 1 in 2014.
“As a bank for all, we are thrilled by the prospect of using the Nedbank Cup once again to connect with South Africa as we demonstrate how we continue to enable customers, current and future soccer stars, as well as their communities to make their goals happen,” said Thulani Sibeko, Group Executive for Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank.
PSL CEO Brand de Villiers said:“The Nedbank Cup is a tournament that has a special place in the hearts of South Africans. It is a tournament that has authored some of the most amazing and epic stories of rags to riches. As the League – and as an organisation that believes in unearthing new talent and giving a platform to aspiring athletes, we pride ourselves with what this competition has done through our partnership with Nedbank. We look forward to the 2014/15 edition of the Nedbank Cup.”
Venues and times for the round of 32 matches will be announced in February.
