The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute outplayed Limpopo-based outfit Kingborn FC by eight goals to zero in the Nedbank Cup Play-offs. They now qualify to play in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup.
The NWU team went through a series of qualifiers to reach the main draw. They beat the Red Lions by 4-1 in the North West Provincial Nedbank final before playing against Kingborn FC.
Soccer Institute manager Vuyolwethu Sambo says he is happy to be part of these historic moments.
“The Nedbank Cup is the best platform for the NWU to gain marketing mileage and national recognition. This is the first time the NWU reached this stage since we joined the second division league (ABC Motsepe league) in 2008,” says Vuyolwethu.
“We are proud of the technical team led by coach Karabo Masehela and the players led by captain Paseka Matsheka. We are even more delighted to have our Purple Army behind us every step of the way.”
The Nedbank Cup is South Africa's premier club football knockout tournament. The tournament is aimed at giving lower league and amateur teams a chance to compete with top-league clubs.
In the current format 16 premier soccer league (PSL) clubs, eight national first division (NFD) teams, as well as eight teams from the amateur ranks enter the main draw of 32 teams. The PSL teams are entered automatically in the main draw, while the NFD clubs have to play a single qualifier against other NFD clubs. The amateur teams go through a series of qualifiers to enter the main draw.
From round 32 and onwards teams are not seeded, and the first sides drawn receive home-ground advantage. There are no longer any replays in the tournament, and any games ending in a draw after 90 minutes are subject to 30 minutes extra time, followed by penalties if necessary.
The winning team receives prize money of R7 million, and also qualifies for the next season's CAF Confederation Cup.
The fixtures for the Nedbank Cup last 32 are scheduled from 5 to 11 February 2020.
NWU Soccer Institute coach Karabo Masehela is the first NWU coach to take the NWU soccer team to the last 32 in the Nedbank Cup.
