Middelburg United make Nedbank Cup last 32 as Ferreira targets promotion

Middelburg United coach Johnny Ferreira has described the club’s qualification for the Nedbank Cup last 32 as a landmark achievement, while insisting that promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship remains his main objective.

Ferreira is the first coach to guide a team from Middelburg, known as the home of stainless steel, into the last 32 of the competition. The club currently plays in Mpumalanga’s ABC Motsepe League.

The former Gomora United and Witbank Aces coach has been recognised as a “legend” in Middelburg following the achievement, which ends a long wait for the town to have a representative at this stage of the tournament.

Middelburg last had a team in the competition’s last 32 during the Bob Save Super Bowl era. On September 1, 1996, Santos defeated Middelburg United Brothers (MUBS) at Kees Taljaard Stadium.

Middelburg United were founded in 2016 and had never previously reached the Nedbank Cup’s last 32. Ferreira said the result was particularly significant for chairman Henry Zwane.

“How many years have passed since I started at Witbank Black Aces in 1992? Now I’m at a brand-new club that started in 2016, and they’ve never been in the Last 32. It’s a big achievement for the club and the chairman, Henry Zwane,” Ferreira told KickOff.

The veteran coach, who is in his late 60s, also believes the cup run could raise the profiles of several players in his squad and give them an opportunity to attract interest from PSL clubs.

“The Last 32 will open doors for most of our players to be spotted by PSL clubs, and it doesn’t matter which team we will get in the Last 32,” he said.

Ferreira added that reaching the round was further evidence that age should not prevent a coach from making an impact.

“This achievement proves coaching has no expiry date. I’m just happy to still make a difference in a player’s life even though I’m in my late 60s.”

Although Middelburg could face top-flight opposition in the next round, Ferreira believes his team can compete with PSL clubs.

“We can cause an upset; the gap between the PSL and the ABC Motsepe League is not that great anymore, otherwise the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and [Mamelodi] Sundowns would be beating the ABC Motsepe League teams 7-0 in the Nedbank Cup,” he said.

Middelburg are currently third in their ABC Motsepe League stream, six points behind leaders Phezulu FC. The two sides are due to meet in two weeks’ time.

“At the moment, we lie third in our ABC Motsepe League stream, and six points behind Phezulu FC, who are in top spot. We are playing them in two weeks’ time,” Ferreira said.

“There are only 22 games, and we’ve played four already, which means we have only 18 left. So, that’s our focus now because the chairman wants promotion.”