Football fanatics could find themselves watching a National First Division showdown in the final of the Nedbank Cup this season.
This comes as the Motsepe Foundation Championship sides, Casric Stars and Milford FC stand on the brink of history, should they overcome top-flight opponents in their respective semifinals of the Ke Yona Cup scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Over the years, clubs from South Africa’s lower divisions have risen to the occasion in this prestigious competition—often regarded as the country’s version of the FA Cup—by challenging and even eliminating some of the biggest teams. This season has been no different, with both Casric Stars and Milford FC proving their credentials.
Casric Stars have been one of the standout performers, having eliminated Betway Premiership heavyweights such as AmaZulu FC and Orlando Pirates on their way to the semifinals. They will now look to maintain that impressive momentum when they face Durban City FC on Saturday, April 4.
The two clubs are no strangers to each other, having both competed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season before Durban City secured automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership.
Attention then shifts to Sunday’s second semifinal clash at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, where TS Galaxy FC will have to be at their very best against a resilient Milford FC side.
Milford’s journey to the last four has been nothing short of remarkable. The Northern Cape outfit stunned among the big guns, Sekhukhune United in the earlier rounds, underlining their ability to compete against elite opposition.
Meanwhile, TS Galaxy—Nedbank Cup champions in 2019—have also had a tough route to the semifinals. They overcame formidable opponents, including Mamelodi Sundowns, and will be aiming to return to the final once again.
With underdogs rising and giants falling, this year’s Nedbank Cup continues to deliver drama—and the possibility of an all-NFD final remains very much alive.
