05 February 2020, by: Leonard Solms

Biggest Nedbank Cup Upsets Ever

TS Galaxy’s heroic 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in last year’s Nedbank Cup final will likely live long in the memory as one of the most famous upsets in the tournament’s history. However, as far as  archived odds go, there have been four even bigger shocks.

If you want to win big on individual results, this tournament gives you an ideal chance. We look back on some of the major shocks in Nedbank Cup history to whet your appetite.

READ: NEDBANK CUP BETTING PREVIEW

Eric Tinkler enjoyed a hugely successful season in charge of Cape Town City in 2016-17, but a major blemish was the shock Nedbank Cup defeat to Acornbush United.

A City side featuring the likes of Lebogang Manyama, Thamsanqa Mkhize, Vincent Kobola, Roland Putsche and Judas Moseamedi was brought crashing down to earth by the ABC Motsepe League outfit.

City had already won the Telkom Knockout that season and ended up finishing third in the league behind Bidvest Wits and Mamelodi Sundowns.

AmaZulu may not be the feared outfit they were decades ago, but just about nobody expected them to lose 2-1 to Tembu Royals in 2013.

Craig Rosslee was the Usuthu coach at the time, but even a Joseph Malongoane goal couldn’t save his team.

Sechaba Mofokeng and Zukisa Ginya scored to hand victory to the Vodacom League (now ABC Motsepe League) side.

READ: NEDBANK CUP BETTING PREVIEW

The biggest Nedbank Cup upset involving a Soweto giant saw then defending treble champions lose 4-1 to Maluti FET College in 2013.

Roger de Sá was the man at the helm of a strong Pirates side, which featured Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Oupa Manyisa, Collins Mbesuma, and the late Senzo Meyiwa.

Manyisa scored a consolation goal for the Buccaneers, but it was not enough as the Vodacom League team won courtesy of braces from Lucky Mokoena and Mashale Rantabane.

Before TS Galaxy won the cup last year, it was difficult to think of a cup run that could match Baroka’s charge to the semi-finals of the 2011 tournament.

Along the way, Bakgaga defeated Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs.

Amakhosi looked likely to progress to the semis when Knowledge Musona gave them the lead late in the first half. However, the then Vodacom League side hit back through goals from Sam Ndlovu just before the break and Thobani Mncwango in the dying moments of regulation time.

Baroka went on to win the 2018 Telkom Knockout and have become part of the furniture in the top flight.

READ: NEDBANK CUP BETTING PREVIEW

Ernst Middendorp’s men were in desperate need of a trophy last season after finishing ninth in the league. They threw the kitchen sink at TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final only for Zakhele Lepasa to score the only goal of the game.

What made this defeat particularly painful to bear for Amakhosi was that Lepasa was on loan from Orlando Pirates. However, Chiefs have gone some way towards avenging May’s defeat, as Lepasa has struggled for game time with the Buccaneers and Middendorp’s team tops the league table.

• Pimville Champions 6-2 Golden Arrows (1971 Life Challenge Cup)

• University of Pretoria 4-3 Kaizer Chiefs (2009 Nedbank Cup)

• FC Cape Town 2-0 Kaizer Chiefs (2010 Nedbank Cup)

• Zola Young Stars 3 (5)-(3) 3 Orlando Pirates (1991 BOB Save Super Bowl)

READ: NEDBANK CUP BETTING PREVIEW

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