Mpumalanga sides avoided each other in the Nedbank Cup last-32 draw. The draw, which was conducted last night at Sandton in Johannesburg, saw Acornbush United getting a home ground advantage while both Mbombela United and Witbank Spurs were drawn away from home.
Acornbush, who currently top the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League, were pitted against newly-crowned Telkom Knockout Cup champions, Cape Town City in a match expected to be hosted at KaBokweni Stadium. The match is expected to draw a full capacity crowd as Mpumalanga fans are still bitter with City after they purchased the status of our sole representatives in the PSL, Mpumalanga Black Aces and relocated to Cape Town.
Read More:Three Mpumalanga hopefuls for Nedbank Cup
Mbombela stand a good chance of advancing to the next round despite having been drawn to visit unknown Days FC, who campaign in the SAB Regional League of Free State. Though on paper it looks like Tingwenyama will make an easy meal of Days FC, but the local side will be making a wrong mistake to undermine the Welkom based side. Days FC, who are coached and owned by Jonas Molefi, have this season won 14 of their first 15-games and drawn the other in the Free State’ SAB Regional League.
Spurs on the other side will visit Absa Premiership side, Chippa United, who are based in the Eastern Cape. Spurs, which have been in the National First Division for over a decade, will not be intimidated by Chippa. Both sides have previously played against each other while still campaigning in the NFD. Spurs also boast some of experienced players in the likes of the terrible twins – Peter and Patrick Mubayiwa, Humprey Khoza, Aleni Lebyane, Sici Shelembe, who all once played in the Premier Soccer League.
The first round of fixtures will kick-off during the week of March 8-14. Date, venues and times are still to be confirmed.
Full Round of 32 fixtures:
Platinum Stars vs AmaZulu
EC Bees vs Orlando Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mariveni United
FC Cape Town vs Baroka
Free State Stars vs Highlands Park
Cape Town All Stars vs Bidvest Wits
Chippa United vs Witbank Spurs
Buya Msuthu vs Bloemfontein Celtic
Golden Arrows vs Maritzburg United
Polokwane City vs African All Stars
Royal Eagles vs SuperSport United
Jomo Cosmos vs United Rovers
Stellenbosch United vs Kaizer Chiefs
Acornbush United vs Cape Town City
Kwadukuza United vs Ajax Cape Town
Days FC vs Mbombela United