Eastern Cape amateurs Sinenkani have caught the eye of Nedbank Cup ambassador Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane.
Sinenkani is an Nguni name for “stubbornness” and the club from the Bizana region lived up to their moniker as they caused one of the upsets of the last-32 round by ousting 2018 champions Free State Stars to book their place in the last-16 round.
Stars survived defeat by the skin of their teeth after they were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds, which Moeketsi Sekola converted to force extra time and a penalty shoot-out at Goble Park. Free State’s ABC Motsepe League side Mathaithai also advanced to the next round after a 2-0 win over fellow third-tier side Northern Cape Professionals and were pitted against 2020 winners Mamelodi Sundowns as the tournament dished out another David vs Goliath clash.
Tshakuma will arrive in Mthatha exhausted from the more than 1,000km trip and Letsholonyane wants them to give it another go against another Premier Soccer League club. “I’m looking forward to exciting encounters. This is the cup of dreams and a tournament that brings excitement. The draw produced three Premiership affairs with holders Marumo Gallants drawn at home against Orlando Pirates, Swallows at home against Royal AM while Baroka will take a bus trip to Mbombela to face 2019 winners TS Galaxy.Botshabelo-based ABC Motsepe club Mathaithai will be champing at the bit for their trip to the nation’s capital to test their skills against Sundowns.