Nedbank Cup last 16: KZN derby and title favourites headline packed schedule
Nedbank Cup Last 16 round
The road to Nedbank Cup glory is officially set. From a massive KZN derby to high-stakes clashes in Upington and Orlando, the Last 16 schedule is locked in for this weekend. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
On Monday afternoon, the PSL finally unveiled the schedule for the much-anticipated 2025/26 Nedbank Cup last 16 fixtures, promising a weekend packed with thrilling encounters.
Kicking off the action are Richards Bay and AmaZulu in a highly anticipated KwaZulu-Natal derby, set to take place at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex Grounds on Friday evening. This local rivalry will draw a large crowd eager to see which team will gain the early advantage in the knockout stage.
As the weekend progresses, Saturday will feature four intriguing matches. The first afternoon clash will see second-tier side Upington City host top-flight rivals Durban City at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm.
Simultaneously, TS Galaxy will welcome the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. While Sundowns have historically dominated this match-up with an 8-2 lead and two draws in their past encounters, TS Galaxy have shown prowess against them in recent league meetings. Local fans (and Miguel Cardoso detractors) will be keen to see if TS Galaxy can replicate their success against the title favourites.
As night falls, two more fixtures will electrify the South African football loving fanbase at 6pm. Lamontville Golden Arrows will face Stellenbosch FC at King Zwelithini Stadium, while hosts Orlando Pirates take on Casric Stars in Orlando. The KZN match could deliver edge-of-the-seat action as teams vie for progression in this prestigious tournament.
The Round of 16 will culminate on Sunday with three more fixtures, all kicking off at 3pm. Jacksa Spears will host Vasco Da Gama, a Cape Town side known for their competitive spirit, at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. Meanwhile, AmaTuks will welcome Sekhukhune United at the University of Pretoria.
As beaten finalists in 2023, Sekhukhune United will be looking to assert their dominance and advance further in the tournament. Rounding out the fixtures for the weekend, Milford FC square off against Mkhambathi FC at Umhlathuze Sports Stadium in Richards Bay. This encounter will allow both teams to demonstrate their skills as they compete to advance to the next round.
With exciting match-ups across the weekend, football fans can look forward to a showcase of talent, skill, and passion in one of South Africa's most beloved tournaments.
* Herman Gibbs is a veteran sports journalist with five decades of experience in the field. He is a former Sports Editor of the Daily Voice, and is currently a senior sports contributor for Independent Media.