Nedbank Cup last 16: Facts and stats to guide you through this weekend’s action

The Nedbank Cup Last 16 kicks off on Friday, promising a weekend packed with excitement, potential upsets, and goals as clubs across South Africa compete for a place in the quarter-finals.

Here’s a statistical guide to the eight ties scheduled this weekend.

Friday, February 20 – 19:00

Richards Bay and AmaZulu face off in a tie that has seen seven previous encounters, with Richards Bay leading the head-to-head 3-2, alongside two draws. AmaZulu have only reached the quarter-finals once since 2012, while Richards

Bay’s last appearance at this stage came in 2021. Across 13 Nedbank Cup matches, Richards Bay have scored 23 and conceded 23 goals, reflecting the attacking nature of their games.

Saturday, February 21 – 15:00

Upington aim to continue their giant-killing run after edging top-flight Magesi FC on penalties in the last round. The team has yet to record an outright win or goal in the competition, but their home record is strong, suffering only two defeats all season (W5 D4).

Durban City struggle away, having won just once since August, and lost both meetings against Upington last year in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Also on Saturday at 15:00, Sundowns travel to Mpumalanga to face Galaxy. Sundowns have struggled recently away at this venue, going winless in their last three visits, but they hold a superior overall record against Galaxy, winning six and drawing five of 13 matches.

Sundowns are the competition’s most experienced side, with 65 matches played, 48 wins, 146 goals, and only three failures to reach the quarter-finals.

At 18:00, Golden Arrows host Stellenbosch. Head-to-head records favour Stellenbosch, who have won six of 13 encounters, including two away victories in Durban.

This marks the first cup meeting between the clubs, with Stellenbosch reaching the quarter-finals in each of the last three seasons. Arrows have not progressed past this stage since 2019.

Saturday, February 21 – 18:00

Orlando Pirates face Casric Stars, chasing a fourth consecutive final. Pirates’ only recent defeat in 18 Nedbank Cup matches was a 4-1 loss to Sundowns in 2021, while Casric Stars are playing their fourth consecutive away tie after beating third-tier Army Rockets in the previous round.

Sunday, February 22 – 15:00

Milford FC host Mkhambathi. Milford are making their third Last 16 appearance but have never won outright, while their home form this season has been strong (W8 D1 L1). Mkhambathi qualified by defeating Lerumo Lions and hope to continue their cup run.

In other Sunday ties, Vasco and Spears clash, ensuring at least one amateur side reaches the quarter-finals for only the fourth time.

University of Pretoria host Sekhukhune United in a match between two former losing finalists, with Sekhukhune used to playing away in the competition and AmaTuks experienced in penalty shootouts.

The stage is set for a weekend of competitive football where history could be rewritten in the Nedbank Cup.