Staff Reporter.
The line-up for the Last 16 of the 2022-23 Nedbank Cup has been completed after Chippa United secured progression at the expense of Polokwane City via the drama of penalties on Tuesday evening.
The second-tier Rise and Shine held the Chilli Boys 1-1 over 120 minutes – and had the better chances to win the match outright through both regulation and extra time – but ultimately the DStv Premiership club held their nerve in the shootout to emerge 3-1 victors and advance into the second round proper.
The Last 32 round spanned a full week, with the 16 matches producing 50 goals and two penalty shootouts.Five DStv Premiership clubs fell by the wayside, though four of those were at the hands of fellow top-flight clubs (Richards Bay, Swallows FC, Maritzburg United and Cape Town City).
The only exception was SuperSport United, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of third-tier Dondol Stars last midweek.
Stars and Mpheni Home Defenders (who defeated fellow amateurs Clarewood JPM) will be the only two ABC Motsepe League teams in the Last 16 draw – a drop from four in 2022.
Nonetheless, they will be hoping to emulate Baroka FC, who got as far as the semifinals as a third-tier club in 2011.
Cape Town Spurs, Venda Football Academy and Casric Stars represent the second-tier Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs which advanced through the first round proper, while the DStv Premiership will have 11 teams in the Last 16 draw.
These top-flight clubs are Mamelodi Sundowns, Marumo Gallants, Sekhukhune United, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC, Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates, Royal AM, AmaZulu, TS Galaxy and Chippa United.
The draw for the Last 16 will be held on Wednesday night (15 February) in Randburg, Johannesburg.