By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mamelodi Sundowns will play their Nedbank Cup last 16 encounter against Mpheni Home Defenders at Lucas Moripe Stadium instead of Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The change of venue was announced by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Tuesday.
Sundowns and Pirates were affected by the bad pitch that posed injury concerns for players from both teams.
Sundowns are likely to field a changed line-up, as they rest key players for a busy final stretch of the season in both the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League, but it’s hard to see any way in which the minnows can bridge the gap in quality. Then again, one would have said the same for the Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool FA Cup tie this past weekend.
The Nedbank Cup Last 16 gets going on Wednesday evening at the Lucas Moripe Stadium with SuperSport United hosting second-tier Cape Town Spurs, while Thursday evening at the Danie Craven Stadium brings an all top flight battle between Stellenbosch and Polokwane City.
The weekend’s action opens on Friday night at the Chatsworth Stadium, as second-tier league leaders Durban City look to upset top flight TS Galaxy, while other matches on the card are Marumo Gallants hosting AmaZulu in Bloemfontein.
Orlando Pirates will face second-tier Baroka FC at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers will want to recover quickly from the 4-1 humbling they received at the hands of Sundowns in last weekend’s key league encounter.
Kaizer Chiefs have, on paper, the toughest tie of the three giant clubs, as they lock horns with Chippa United at the FNB Stadium in Saturday’s early-evening kick-off.
The outstanding Last 32 match between Milford and Royal AM has not been decided due to the latter club’s ongoing suspension and financial difficulties.
Fullview learnt the PSL Executive Committee have been locked in meetings discussing the matter at length and have all but made the call to enforce rule 57.13 of the NSL handbook, which would effectively mean the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season will then have to continue with only 15 instead of 16 clubs.
Royal AM have been placed under a preservation order by the South African Revenue Service, with owner Shauwn Mkhize facing around R40 million in tax debt.
Players went on strike this month over unpaid December salaries, with Royal AM unable to fulfil a January 11 Betway Premiership meeting with Chippa United.
Nedbank Cup Last 16 fixtures
Wednesday 12 February
19:00: SuperSport United v Cape Town Spurs
Thursday 13 February
19:00: Stellenbosch FC v Polokwane City
Friday 14 February
19:00: Durban City v TS Galaxy
Saturday 15 February
15:00: Marumo Gallants v AmaZulu FC
15:00: Orlando Pirates v Baroka FC
18:00: Kaizer Chiefs v Chippa United
TBC: Milford FC/Royal AM v Sekhukhune United
Sunday 16 February
15:00: Mamelodi Sundowns v Mpheni Home Defenders.