Nedbank Cup wide open as underdogs and hopefuls chase historic glory

Excitement is building around a rare and unpredictable edition of the Nedbank Cup, where a field of unlikely contenders is now within touching distance of one of South African football’s most cherished trophies.

With the traditional heavyweights eliminated earlier than expected, the 2026 quarter-finals promise a compelling battle among clubs eager to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The early exits of giants such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have dramatically altered the landscape of the tournament. Their absence has left the competition unusually open and injected fresh energy into a contest renowned for producing fairytale stories.

As a result, the last eight features a mix of ambitious top-flight sides, second-tier challengers and even a third-division hopeful, all dreaming of lifting the famous trophy and securing qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2026/27 season.

The Nedbank Cup has long been celebrated for its ability to blur the lines between the elite and the underdogs. Each year, it offers clubs from lower divisions the rare chance to test themselves against the country’s biggest teams. In 2026, however, the competition has gone a step further. Instead of simply sharing the stage with the giants, the remaining clubs now find themselves centre stage with a realistic path to silverware.

AmaZulu chasing long-awaited breakthrough

Few clubs still in the tournament carry the weight of history quite like AmaZulu FC. Known affectionately as Usuthu, the Durban-based side has reached the Nedbank Cup final six times but has yet to lift the trophy. Their repeated near-misses have turned the competition into a story of unfinished business.

AmaZulu’s most recent appearance in the final came in 2010 against Bidvest Wits, a match that remained tense until late goals ultimately decided the outcome in favour of The Clever Boys. Decades earlier, Usuthu endured a particularly painful sequence when they reached three consecutive finals between 1972 and 1974. Each attempt ended in heartbreak as they fell to Chiefs once and Pirates twice.

Further disappointments followed in 1987 and 1990, with narrow defeats denying them what would have been a landmark triumph. Despite those setbacks, the club’s persistence in the tournament has earned it a unique reputation as one of the competition’s most enduring nearly-men.

Now, with the traditional giants already out of the running, AmaZulu may sense that the stars are finally aligning. Their quarter-final meeting with second-tier side Casric Stars represents both an opportunity and a potential trap, as underdogs have repeatedly proven capable of upsetting the odds in this competition.

Casric Stars carrying the underdog spirit

Casric Stars have already etched their name into the narrative of this year’s tournament. Competing in the second tier of South African football, the club has exceeded expectations simply by reaching the quarter-finals.

Their first appearance in the Nedbank Cup came in 2023, when they advanced to the second round before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Chiefs. While the campaign ended early, it offered a glimpse of the team’s competitive potential.

Three years later, Stars have returned with renewed ambition and have delivered one of the competition’s most memorable moments so far. After overcoming third-division side Army Rocket in the opening round, they stunned Pirates in a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory.

That triumph not only eliminated one of the country’s most decorated clubs but also cemented Casric’s reputation as fearless challengers. A trip to Durban to face AmaZulu now stands between them and a place in the semi-finals.

Durban derby adds another twist

The quarter-final clash between Lamontville Golden Arrows and Durban City FC ensures that the city of Durban will have at least one representative in the semi-finals.

Durban City, who share ownership with the former Maritzburg United, are still building their identity after relocating from Pietermaritzburg. Despite being viewed as a relatively new entity, the club has already begun to establish itself as a competitive force in the tournament.

Last year they reached the quarter-finals before falling to Marumo Gallants on penalties after a goalless draw. Their return to the last eight in consecutive seasons suggests a growing familiarity with the demands of knockout football.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, are chasing history of their own. The club has twice reached the semi-finals, first in 2017 and again in 2019, but has never progressed to the final. On both occasions their dreams were ended by narrow margins.

The possibility of finally reaching the decider will provide added motivation as they prepare for a fiercely contested derby.

Jacksa Spears living the dream

One of the most remarkable stories of this year’s tournament belongs to Jacksa Spears. Competing in the third-tier ABC Motsepe League, the Northern Cape side has become just the fourth club from that level to reach the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.

Their run began with a 4-2 victory over fellow third-division team FC Cardinals before a disciplined performance secured a 1-0 win against CR Vasco da Gama. Those results have propelled Spears into uncharted territory for the club.

Their reward is a daunting encounter with former champions TS Galaxy, a team that knows exactly what it takes to go all the way in this competition.

Sekhukhune and Milford eye breakthrough moments

Another intriguing quarter-final will take place in Limpopo where Sekhukhune United host ambitious second-tier leaders Milford FC.

Sekhukhune came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in 2023. They took the lead in the final against Pirates through Sibusiso Vilakazi before conceding a dramatic injury-time winner. That painful defeat has remained a powerful reminder of how narrow the margin between triumph and heartbreak can be in cup football.

Milford, by contrast, are enjoying their deepest run in the competition. Having previously fallen in the second round in consecutive seasons, the club has now broken new ground by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.

Their journey has included memorable experiences against top-flight opposition. In 2024 they stunned Chiefs in the opening round before eventually losing heavily to Stellenbosch FC. This year, they return with greater confidence and a chance to create another upset.

Galaxy carry the memory of a giant-killing triumph

Among all the remaining teams, only TS Galaxy have previously lifted the Nedbank Cup. Their triumph in 2019 remains one of the most celebrated underdog stories in South African football.

At the time, Galaxy were a second-tier side making their debut in the competition. Their fairytale run culminated in a final against Chiefs, where the match appeared destined for extra time until a late penalty changed everything.

Striker Zakhele Lepasa converted from the spot to secure a historic victory and propel the club into the national spotlight.

Seven years later, Galaxy return to the latter stages of the tournament with that memory still fresh. While their status has evolved since then, the club remains a symbol of what is possible in the Nedbank Cup.

A tournament defined by opportunity

As the quarter-finals approach, the 2026 edition of the Nedbank Cup stands as a reminder of why the competition holds such a special place in the South African football calendar. With the established powers gone, the path to glory is suddenly within reach for clubs that might previously have considered it a distant dream.

Whether it is AmaZulu ending decades of frustration, Casric Stars writing a new chapter of underdog success, or another team rising unexpectedly to the occasion, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable conclusions in the tournament’s history.