Johannesburg - In what is set to be a football feast, one of the most lucrative domestic cup competitions in Africa; the Nedbank Cup returns for its 8th edition in the coming weeks.
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Nedbank, in partnership with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) officially drew the battle lines on Thursday night – a first step towards determining who would be crowned champions of the 2014/15 Nedbank Cup.
Coaches of participating teams attended the draw to see who they will face in the first round of 32 clubs battling it out from 17 February 2015. At stake is the grand prize of R7 million. Fans will remember how a packed Moses Mabhida stadium staged the grand finale when Orlando Pirates lifted the coveted Nedbank Cup trophy after beating a resilient Bidvest Wits 3-1 in 2014.
As a bank for all, we are thrilled by the prospect of using the Nedbank Cup once again to connect with South Africa as we demonstrate how we continue to enable customers, current and future soccer stars, as well as their communities to make their goals happen” said Thulani Sibeko, Group Executive for Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank.
PSL CEO, Brand de Villiers added: “The Nedbank Cup is a tournament that has a special place in the hearts of South Africans. It is a tournament that has authored some of the most amazing and epic stories of rags to riches. As the League – and as an organisation that believes in unearthing new talent and giving platform to aspiring athletes, we pride ourselves with what this Competition has done through our partnership with Nedbank. We look forward to the 2014/15 edition of the Nedbank Cup.”
As anticipated, the draw brought about some intriguing clashes between the amateur- and professional teams.
The last round of 32 consists of 16 clubs in the PSL, eight from the National First Division and eight from the SAFA structures respectively. The Nedbank Cup is the only cup competition in South Africa that affords the winners a chance to compete against the best teams on the African continent through the CAF Confederations Cup.
The official launch of the 2015 Nedbank Cup will take place on 16 February where the bank will unveil its innovative campaigns for the year and also provide an update on venues and times for the round of 32 matches which is scheduled to start on 17 February 2015.
Last 32 fixtures:
Bellevue Winners Park FC vs Vasco Da Gama FC
Bidvest Wits FC vs Free State Stars FC
Amazulu FC vs L. Golden Arrows FC
MP Black Aces FC vs Maritzburg United FC
Orlando Pirates vs Tornado FC
University Of Pretoria vs Moroka Swallows FC
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Thanda Royal Zulu FC
Supersport United vs Polokwane City FC
African Warriors vs Maluti FET College
Black Leopards vs FC Cape Town
Bloemfontein Celtic vs NW Shining Stars / Roses United FC
Chippa United vs Natal United FC
Phiva Young Stars vs Jomo Cosmos FC
Kaizer Chiefs vs Africa All Stars / Edu Sports FC
Platinum Stars vs The Magic FC
Mainstay United FC vs Ajax Cape Town