Bonus for Nedbank Cup fans with easy access on SuperSport ...
football28 April 2023 09:22| © SuperSport
Share
Cup football traditionally serves up surprises and small-town heroes to go alongside the big names.
This season’s Nedbank Cup has been no different, although there is something richly familiar about the first semifinal next weekend. It comes in the form of the ageless Soweto derby: Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs on May 6.
The other, a day later, features giant-killers Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United, which reflects the great appeal of Cup football, with its ability to turn players into national heroes.
In a bonus for DStv viewers, both Nedbank Cup semifinals and the final will also be available to DStv Access customers.
This means the Chiefs- Pirates playoff (May 6, 3pm) and the Stellenbosch-Sekhukhune United last-four match (May 7, 6pm) and the title decider (May 27) will be available to more viewers than ever before.
The action will be broadcast on SS Variety 4, and will additionally be available for streaming via the DStv app.
All three matches will enjoy hour-long build-ups by several of South Africa’s soccer’s most astute analysts.
Chiefs are the most celebrated team in Cup history with more successes in the format, which has existed since 1971, than any other club (13). Pirates, in turn, have won it eight times, most recently in the 2013/14 season. Chiefs last won the Nedbank Cup the season before.
Chiefs are targeting a 20th Nedbank Cup Final with Pirates chasing an 18th outing. Remarkably, this will be the 21st meeting since the sides first met over two games in the 1971 final. Chiefs have won 10 of the previous 20 Nedbank Cup clashes between the rivals, which includes their 2006 win on penalties. Pirates, meanwhile, have won five with five others ending in a draw.
In the modern PSL era, the teams have met four times in the Nedbank Cup, the last time in 2015-16. Pirates won three games - in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2015-16 – and Chiefs’ only triumph was in 2005-06, a fixture in which current Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane participated. Neither Stellenbosch nor Sekhukhune, the two highest scoring teams in this season’s competition, have hoisted the trophy before, so there is every incentive for them to shoot the lights out next weekend. Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is looking to go one better than in 2009 when he led AmaTuks - then a second-tier side - to the final.
Sekhukhune recorded the biggest win this season with a 6-0 victory over third-tier Liver Brothers in the round of 32. Stellenbosch, in turn, have been involved in the highest scoring game in the competition, which produced nine goals (their last-16 6-3 triumph over TS Galaxy).
Fittingly, SuperSport’s broadcast plans are sweeping with studio presentations for both matches hosted by award-winning presenter Carol Tshabalala (May 6) and Thomas Mlambo (May 7). Star former players Amanda Dlamini, Teko Modise, Bongani Khumalo, Jimmy Tau and Stanton Fredericks will analyse the action for viewers.
Julia Stuart will be SuperSport’s touchline presenter at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch with Grant Bisset leading commentary with Phumudzo Manenzhe as analyst. Popular Phumlani Msibi will be touchline reporter for a production that will include 22 cameras and a drone for a world-class broadcast that aims to showcase the thrilling nature of Cup soccer.
