The Nedbank Cup draw for the ABC Motsepe League teams for the 2023/’24 campaign has turned out rather fitting – for some at least.
It is for the mere fact that the defending champion, Young Bafana, will kick off proceedings on 7 September – at home – after they have drawn in the preliminary round against the newcomers, Orient Birds from Plettenberg Bay.
Now if that is not an ideal manner to start proceedings for the league campaign then I don’t know.
Anyway, this match-up on face value and perhaps on paper can be considered as a David vs. Goliath match-up, but
Bafana’s new head coach, Carlos Manuel, will probably dismiss this notion.
Meanwhile another the newbie in the league, Junction Rovers, can also brace themselves for a baptism of fire after they were drawn against the mighty Hout Bay United Football Community (HBUFC) in the Round of 16, scheduled for October 14th.
Junction’s coach Chrissando de Weber will probably take consolation from the fact that this match will be in front of their home crowd. Needless to say, that their 12th man will make the atmosphere in Heideveld as hostile as possible to intimidate the Hout Bay-based outfit.
But De Weber knows all too well they will have to do much more than that to upset the HBUFC.
Perhaps De Weber will in all likelihood use the match to gauge what level his team is at in relation to the big guns of this league, rather than causing a stir with an upset. But then again, in a cup competition, anything is possible.
All eyes will also be on Ikapa United’s new head coach, Rowan Williams, who is back at the club. Williams can definitely make a statement from the get-go should they overcome Royal Blues at home in Beaufort West for their Round of 16 tie.
The pick of the fixtures will be settled with the second round of the last 16 when Hanover Park FC welcomes the continuously improving and evolving Grassy Park United with its talented youngsters.
One can only imagine the banter and exchanging of words next to the touchline when these two rivals cross swords. It could be too close to call but perhaps the Brasse Vannie Park could cash in with their home advantage and experience – but who knows?
If that is not enough to satisfy the appetite, then the remaining matchups in this round should definitely suffice. FN Rangers will not be taking Santos FC for granted as their Rangers’ coach, Arreshaat Daniels, knows all too well that his counterpart Roger Fortune is a wily old fox.
Hence, much as it will be a physical battle on the field, it will also be one where the respective coaches could have a say.
Similarly, the Nyanga-based-outfit Zizwe United can expect a fierce battle when they host Ubuntu in another humdinger. It will be interesting to see how Ubuntu’s new coach, Christopher Bergman, will set up his young troops against the more experienced and seasoned campaigners.
Last season’s provincial champs, Clarewood JPM, are also well aware that they will have to be at their very best if they were to repeat their success in this competition when they travel to City Kings.
With the latter being a season older and hopefully wiser, the Manchester City of the Motsepe League shall have to rely on more than just their financial prowess to overcome Craig Rosslee’s Kings-outfit.
