MAMELODI Sundowns got the only minnows as much as lower leagues are concerned in the 2025 Nedbank Cup round of 16 draw that took place on Wednesday afternoon.
The Premiership champions and last year’s finalist, Sundowns, were drawn with the only team left in this year’s Nedbank Cup that plays in the South African Football Association (Safa) league.
That team is none other than Mpheni Home Defenders - the ABC Motsepe League side whose coach Vhutshilo Phuravhathu came out boldly if not controversially after advancing from the last 32 at the weekend.
After beating a Motsepe Foundation Championship team, Hungry Lions 3-1 at the weekend, Phuravhathu boldly pronounced that they would be more than happy to face one of the Soweto giants - that is Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates - in the round of 16.
That, with one condition though - as long as the Defenders would be at their home venue.
As things stand, Phuravhathu and Co should be happy, or should they, to have drawn the biggest rival of the Soweto giants in Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, besides them not getting their whole wish as Sundowns will be at hoe, they will be forced to be mindful of the history that with no doubt counts against them.
Two things to note from that history; Sundowns, by stats, is the team with more victories against minnows in the Nedbank Cup, that is one.
Two, Sundowns hold a South African record of winning by most goals in a single match - that, they achieved in the very same Nedbank Cup by beating Powerlines 24-0.
Chiefs, who this year outlived their hoodoo against minnows, advance by beating Free Agents, were drawn with Chippa United.
Chiefs’ history against Chippa cannot be easily spelt towards one side.
However, the Phefeni Glamour Boys will consider themselves lucky to not be in Pirates’ shoes. That is because the Buccaneers, the side going foe a three-peat, were drawn with Baroka FC.
The other Limpopo side Polokwane City faced Stellenbosch FC, whose Cape Town compatriots Cape Town Spurs go to SuperSport United.
The KZN sides, AmaZulu and Durban City, were drawn with Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy/Vasco da Gama (who played on Wednesday evening).
Dates, times and venues will be announced in due course.
Nedbank Cup Last-16 Draw
Durban City FC v TS Galaxy/Vasco da Gama
Orlando Pirates v Baroka FC
Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa United
Mamelodi Sundowns v Mpheni Home Defenders
Marumo Gallants v AmaZulu
Milford FC/Royal AM v Sekhukhune United
Stellenbosch FC v Polokwane City
SuperSport United v Cape Town Spurs