NFD Nedbank Cup qualification preview

The 16 National First Division (NFD) clubs will be vying for the eight Nedbank Cup places on offer this Tuesday afternoon, 15 December 2015.

The eight qualifying sides from the NFD will be joined by eight clubs from SAFA’s lower divisions, and together with the 16 PSL clubs, will form part of the final 32 clubs that participate in the Nedbank Cup proper next year.

Tuesday’s eight matches across the country are all scheduled to kick off at 15H00.

VASCO DA GAMA v MBOMBELA UNITED – PAROW PARK 15h00

These two sides have met in the Nedbank Cup before, but have not yet clashed in the league. Last time around, in February 2013, NFD side Vasco travelled to Mbombela, who were still in the Second Division at that stage, and won 4-1.

This time, the Mpumalanga outfit in fourth place on the NFD table, eight spots and eight points above Vasco, who have made a slow start to their league campaign.

Top scorers: Vasco: Mbulelo Wambi (4), Mbombela: Sifiso Thomo (4)

HIGHLANDS PARK v MILANO UNITED – MAKHULONG STADIUM

Just a point and once place separates seventh-placed Highlands Park from eighth-positioned Milano United. The Gauteng side managed to beat Milano 2-0 in the Cape back in September in a league match, while last season’s two games both ended in draws.

Top scorers: Highlands Park: Jermaine Christian (3), Milano: Brandon Theron (3)

AMAZULU v THANDA ROYAL ZULU – PRINCESS MAGOGO STADIUM

AmaZulu are sixth on the table, Thanda 10th, with four points separating these two sides who have already met in a goal-less KZN derby in the NFD this season.

Top scorers: AmaZulu: Bornwell Mwape (5), Thanda: Menzi Hlope (3)

BAROKA FC v ROYAL EAGLES – OLD PETER MOKABA STADIUM

This game has the makings of a thriller as top-of-the-table Baroka take on an on-form Eagles side currently lying fifth in the NFD. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw in the Limpopo earlier this season, while Baroka beat Eagles twice in the previous league campaign.

Top scorers: Baroka: Thabiso Kutumela (12), Eagles: Katlego Mphela (4)

WITBANK SPURS vs SANTOS – PUMA RUGBY STADIUM

Spurs, second on the NFD table, will be hoping to transfer their fine league form into the Cup. Santos (ninth) though have been in outstanding form of late, winning four of their last five games. An earlier league meeting this season, back in September, saw Spurs winning 1-0 in Cape Town.

Top scorers: Spurs: Cleopas Dube (5), Santos: Suhayl Allie (4)

MOROKA SWALLOWS vs F.C. CAPE TOWN – DOBSONVILLE STADIUM

Its third last takes on second last as these two struggling NFD teams meet in the cup. In the only previous time the two clubs have met, in August this year, Swallows recorded a 1-0 home win.

Top scorers: Swallows: Siyabonga Nomvethe (2), FC CT: Maboke Matlakala (3)

AFRICAN WARRIORS vs BLACK LEOPARDS – CHARLES MOPELI STADIUM

Two points and separate Warriors (13th) and Leopards (11th) on the NFD standings, both sides having struggled for consistency this season. An earlier season clash, also played in the Free State, ended in a 0-0 draw.

Top scorers: Leopards: Thembisani Nevhulamba (3), Warriors: Thamsanqa Ngema (2)

MTHATHA BUCKS vs CAPE TOWN ALL STARS – MTHATHA STADIUM

Bucks get some respite from their league woes, where they are yet to win this season. Stars, fourth on the table, will start their first game since Ian Taylor returned to the club as head coach. The sides have met in the league already this season, the Cape Town side winning 1-0 at Athlone.

Top scorers: Stars: Stanley Makgoka (2), Bucks: Moses Spandeel (3)

SUSPENSION list

MARC NATHAN VAN HEERDEN (AMAZULU)

NYASHA MUNETSI, SIYABONGA DUBULA (F.C. CAPE TOWN)

LEE-RAOUL LANGEVELDT (MILANO UNITED)

BOYSEN MBATHA (MOROKA SWALLOWS)

source: www.psl.co.za