Nedbank Cup preview: Sekhukhune battle for last 16 spot at Highbury as Arrows host Orbit College

Highbury FC v Sekhukhune United

Sekhukhune United head coach Eric Tinkler knows his side cannot afford to let their standards slip in their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash with Motsepe Foundation Championship side Highbury FC.

Babina Noko are in an impressive fifth place on the Betway Premiership standings while Highbury are languishing in 11th place on the National First Division standings.

Tinkler's charges made it to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup last term where they were undone by Mamelodi Sundowns in extra-time, while this is Highbury's first time in the competition proper and secured their place with a 3-1 win over Kruger United 3-1 in their provincial final.

Tinkler said on IOL: "We are going to take this game as seriously as we would playing against an NFD team.

"What happens is that players tend to drop their level [after a win], and the main message that I have been sending to them over the past couple of days is that we cannot drop the level; we need to raise it."

Highbury head coach Kabelo Sibiya added in the Herald: "The energy in the club is very high. You can tell that everyone in the club wants to play this game.

“Even the players who have missed time due to injury have been working hard to prepare for this match.

"We are fortunate to play against Sekhukhune United, a Premiership team. Sekhukhune is ranked among the top four in the PSL."

Golden Arrows v Orbit College

Manqoba Mngqithi is eager to lead Golden Arrows to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup with a comfortable win over Orbit College at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.

Abafana Bes'thende have been eliminated at this stage in each of the last two seasons but in Orbit College they face a team struggling in 15th place on the Betway Premiership standings with just four wins all season.

Arrows haven't fared much better, in 10th place with five wins, but should have the experience to see off Pogiso Makhoye's team.

The former MTN8 champions secured a 3-0 win over their cup opponents earlier in the league this season. They also made it to the semi-finals of this season's Carling Knockout.

Ahead of the game, the Arrows boss said in the Sunday Tribune: "It's a tricky encounter playing against a team we have already played against this season. It will be tricky because they will give everything in this game, and we also have the responsibility to get ourselves into the hat for the last 16.

"It will be a complicated game, especially since they have brought in some players like Ben Motshwari and Surprise Ralani. They are a completely different team when the striker Ayanda Lukhele plays. We know it’s not going to be an easy encounter, and we have to do our work."

Upington City v Magesi

Magesi will be hoping to overcome Upington City in their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash to bring some much-needed joy to an otherwise difficult season.

Magesi find themselves bottom of the league standings with two wins from 15. They exited the Nedbank Cup at this stage last seasn, 3-2 to SuperSport United, while also making it to this season's Carling Knockout quarters, before losing to Orlando Pirates.

Magesi famously beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024 Carling Knockout, while Upington are currently in eighth place on the Motsepe Foundation Championship standings.

Upington beat Cape Town City 1–0 in their Nedbank Cup qualifier to secure their spot in the last 32.

All Saturday fixtures:

Highbury FC v Sekhukhune United

Upington City v Magesi

Army Rockets v Casric Stars

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v Orlandpo Pirates

Cardinals v Kacksa Spears

Golden Arrows v Orbit College