Johannesburg - Defending champions Orlando Pirates will play little known Ethekwini Coastal FC in the opening round of the Nedbank Cup.

The tournament features 16 Premier Soccer League teams and 16 other teams from lower divisions.

The Buccaneers whose league form has left them seven points off leaders Sundowns at the halfway stage of the season, will be looking to build on their Cup success this season, and the trip to the KwaZulu-Natal side should not present Julio Leal's charges any problems.

Pirates tasted Cup success this season as they beat Wits 3-1 in the Telkom Knockout final in December.

In the only two all-Premiership clashes, Maritzburg United will host Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows will be at home to Wits.

Thulani Sibeko, head of marketing for Nedbank, explained the unique format of the competition.

“Known as the South African FA Cup, the Nedbank Cup gives eight amateur teams from the SAFA ranks and the NFL ranks the opportunity to play on the biggest stage.”

Premier Soccer League CEO Stanley Matthews said the tournament provided the chance for some of the smallest teams to play the premier sides in the country.

Nedbank Cup Last 32 draw:

Lamontville Golden Arrows vs North West Shining Stars
eThekwini Coastal FC vs Orlando Pirates
Free State Stars vs Sivutsa Stars
Santos vs University of Pretoria
Maritzburg United vs Bloemfontein Celtic
Roses United vs Bay United
Vardos FC (Gauteng) or Umthatha Liverpool/A1 Stars FC (Eastern Cape) vs United FC
Batau FC vs SuperSport United
African Warriors vs Jomo Cosmos
Moroka Swallows vs BidVest Wits
Mpumalanga Black Aces vs Witbank Spurs
Kaizer Chiefs vs Cape Town All Stars
Platinum Stars vs Dolphins FC
Black Leopards vs Blackburn Rovers
AmaZulu vs Ajax Cape Town
Powerlines FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns