GLORY HUNTERS

The Nedbank Cup is South Africa's equivalent of the historic English FA Cup and this season's May 27 final provides a final chance for silverware in the 2022/23 campaign. Nick Said picks out some facts and figures ahead of the decider

- Nick Said

SURPRISE FINALISTS

Five teams languishing outside the Premiership have reached the final of the Nedbank Cup competition, with one of those, TS Galaxy, going on to lift the trophy when they shocked Kaizer Chiefs in 2019. Pretoria City did it first, in 1995, but they lost 3-2 to double winners Cape Town Spurs. Mpumalanga Black Aces lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2008, while the following year, University of Pretoria went down by the same score line to Moroka Swallows. And two years after that, in 2011, Black Leopards were in the decider, but lost 3-1 to Orlando Pirates. But TS Galaxy made history by beating Chiefs 1-0 in Durban.

GIANT-KILLERS

Vaal University of Technology became the first side from South African football's fourth tier to oust premiership opposition from the Nedbank Cup, defeating Lamontville Golden Arrows on penalties following a 2-2 draw in their Last 32 clash in 2020. They lost 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round, but it was a mighty achievement for what was largely a bunch of students to defeat elite professional players. Only one fourth-tier side, Mpumalanga-based Liver Brothers, entered the Last 32 in 2023, but they lost 6-0 to Sekhukhune United.

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