A number of ABSA Premiership teams will play each other in the opening round of the 2017/18 Nedbank Cup.
The draw that took place in Johannesburg on Monday threw up some intriguing and mouth-watering clashes.
There will hardly be a David versus Goliath clash in the Nedbank Cup this season.
Perhaps the only two matches that will provide such affairs are Mamelodi Sundowns against Cape Town All Stars and Maritzburg United versus Moroka Swallows FC.
There are a few mouth-watering matches to look forward to. One of those will be the battle between Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City.
The two sides have already met three times this season with the Citizens causing an upset on all three occasions against the defending Premiership champions.
Gavin Hunt, Bidvest Wits Coach, elaborates:
“We have won three in 14 months, but look where we are now… So football can turn on a kick of a ball and things can happen easily in football. They have a great record against us over the last two seasons, and this season we have lost to them three times, but this is another game we will see what happens.”
Kaizer Chiefs have a tricky first round encounter against Golden Arrows.
Although the KZN outfit has not been able to pick up many wins this season, they have however proved to be a tough side to play against.
Stephen Komphela, Chiefs coach:
“In terms of profiling I could immediately go back they know who we are. So there is not going to be much research but going forward, obviously depending on how things unfold then, there is going to be an issue where you have to go check the opponent but with them it’s a bit easier in terms of understanding who you are up against.”
Orlando Pirates welcome back former mentor Muhsin Ertugral for the first time.
The Turk will be on the bench of Ajax Cape Town when the Soweto giants host the Urban Warriors a team that is hoping for some success following a poor start to the season.
Other ties between top-flight sides see Platinum Stars host Baroka FC, while Nedbank Cup Champions from the past two seasons, Supersport United, travel to Bloemfontein Celtic.
Eric Tinkler, Supersport United coach says:
“Very tough start we played them in the Telkom Cup and unfortunately lost after penalties. We gave away a two nil lead and hopefully we can go there and turn that around. We are obviously defending champions we have won it two years in a row and we would like to make it a third and become the first club to ever do that so I think the motivation will be there.”
The dates, venues and kick-off times will be confirmed by the PSL at a later stage.
