Stars looking to improve in Nedbank Cup
Local ABC Motsepe League side Barberton City Stars have had a bad record in the Nedbank Cup since they first entered the competition.
The local club, which is the only one campaigning in a semi-professional league, have never gone pass the provincial preliminary rounds.
But this season, Ingugungucu aspire to go one step further and reach the last 32 of the competition.
Their road to glory will begin this Saturday when they travel to eMalahleni Stadium to play against eMzinoni All Stars.
Barberton are in group D of the Mpumalanga Nedbank Cup preliminary rounds. Along with them and eMzinoni are Secunda Stars who will face-off against Tjakastaad Junior Sheppards in the other fixture. Both games will be played at eMalahleni Stadium.
Secunda and Tjakastaad will get things started when they square off at 10:00. The Barberton game against eMzinoni will follow at 12:00. The winner in each game will play against each other at 16:00 in the same venue.
The overall will face the winner of group A on November 15 in a venue still to be confirmed.
Bongani Mhlanga, Barberton spokesman said their previous disastrous failure to reach the Nedbank last-32 would not repeat itself. “This season we are going to go all the way up to the last-32 and even further. If we look, last season we were knocked out by Mbombela United. They (Mbombela) went all the way to the last 32 where the eventually lost to Premier League side Moroka Swallows 3-4 after they have fought gallantly,” said Mhlanga.
Meanwhile Barberton played to a goalless draw against Young Highlanders away from home in their ABC Motsepe encounter at eMmalahleni last Saturday. This was Barberton second match in the league and their successive draw after playing to a one-all draw against East High Academy a fortnight ago.
All the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League Nedbank Cup fixtures: Group A: Lynville All Stars vs Young Highlanders (10:00); Mhluzi Black Rangers vs Apollo XI (12:00). Both matches will be played at Themba Sinamela Stadium and the winners in each game will face-off. The overall group winner will advance to the semi-final to face the winner of group D.
Group B: Easthigh Academy vs Mbombela United (10:00); Forek Academy vs Godchoosen (12:00). Both matches will be played at KaNyamazane Stadium and the winner in each game will face-off at 16:00. The overall group winner will advance to the semi-final to face the winner of group-C.
Group C: Mapulaneng United vs FC Benfica (10:00) MP Highlanders vs Phiva Young Stars (12:00). Both matches will be played at Thulamashe Stadium and the winner in each will face-off in the final at 16:00. The overall group winner will advance to the semi-final to face the winner of group-B.
The semi-finals will take place on Saturday November 15 in venues still to be confirmed.
