7 February 2018 – The 2018 Nedbank Cup officially kicks off this week, with four SAFA division teams in action.

Steenburg United from the Western Cape will host North West’s Orbit College on Saturday, 10 February 2018 (15h30) at Parow Park Stadium while SAB League side Marivane United from Limpopo will host the Eastern Cape’s Bees on Sunday, 11 February 2017 at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Although all four head coaches believe that they can reach the last 16, they are wary of their opponents. They all know that this tournament has produced giant killers and anything can happen.

Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye believes that their strength will be sticking to their normal game.

“We are already in Cape Town to acclimatize and preparations are going very well. We believe that we can make the last 16 because we will stick to our usual game plan and not focus too much on the opposition.

“We are confident that we can win this match because we are playing a team that plays the same standard of football as us, because we both play in the ABC Motsepe League. The team which is hungrier will go through,”said Makhoye.

SAB side’s Marivane United Head Coach Tapfumaneyi Dodo believes they have a very tough match in the last 32, as they will face ABC Motsepe League side EC Bees.

“Our preparations are going very well. We are working on motivating the players because Bees play in a higher league; so they will most likely take the game to us. We believe we have what it takes to make it to the last 16, we will just have to work hard on Sunday,”said Dodo.

EC Bees Head Coach Vuyisile Njendu is also wary of his opponent and believes that they will have to stay focused to get past their opponents.

“We are anticipating a tough match against an SAB side, we must make sure that we stay focused throughout the match, and try not to concede early,”Njendu.

Last 32 fixtures:

Wednesday, February 7 (19h30)

Bidvest Wits vs Cape Town City at Bidvest Stadium

AmaZulu vs Mthatha Bucks at King Zwelithini Stadium

Ubuntu Cape Town vs Polokwane City at Athlone Stadium

Friday, February 9 (20h00)

Cape Town All Stars vs Mamelodi Sundowns at Athlone Stadium

Saturday, February 10

Swallows FC vs Maritzburg United at Dobsonville Stadium (15h30)

Steenberg United vs Orbit College at Parow Park Stadium (15h30)

Phiva Young Stars vs Chippa United at Kabokweni Stadium (15h30)

Orlando Pirates vs Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium (20h15)

Super Eagles vs Free State Stars at Goble Park (20h15)

Sunday, February 11 (15h30)

Mariveni United vs EC Bees at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

Happy Wanderers vs Royal Eagles at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs vs Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium

Bloemfontein Celtic vs SuperSport United at DR Molemela Stadium

Wednesday, February 14

Richards Bay vs Bloemfontein Young Tigers at Umhlathuze Stadium (15h30)

Platinum Stars vs Baroka at Royal Bafokeng Stadium (19h30)

Stellenbosch FC vs Highlands Park at Athlone Stadium (19h30)