THE COACH of Richards Bay FC, Papi Zothwane, believes their good performance in the playoffs will encourage them to win the cup.
Bay will face MaZulu FC in the home team of KwaZulu-Natal in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 on Friday at 7pm, at the Mhlathuze Sports Complex, in Richards Bay.
Apart from being a home game that KZN football fans are looking forward to, it is also a grudge match as Richards Bay beat AmaZulu 2-0 in November, in the first round of the Betway Premiership season.
Bay, which is in its fourth season in the Premiership division since being promoted to this division in the 2021/22 season, has reached the semi-finals of the playoffs three times. It did this in the Carling Knockout in the 2023/24 season, in the 2024/25 season, and in this season where it was defeated by Orlando Pirates 1-0 in November.
“As a team, we are still doing well in the playoffs. So our main goal is to win the cup one day. We are not just playing to get to the next round.
“We believe we can do that (win the cup) if you look at the teams that have already won this tournament, that means we can do the same,” said Zothwane, who trains in collaboration with Ronnie Gabriel.
“Even though we will be playing at home, we know that it will not be an easy game against MaZulu because of their form, which is proven by the place they are not currently on the log. SIt has players who are willing to fight for the team. We understand the importance that we have to avoid the mistakes of conceding unnecessary goals in this game which we have had a problem with in our recent games.”
On the other hand, MaZulu’s coach, Arthur Zwane, said: “We know that it will be difficult to face Richards Bay, who beat us last time we played in the league, and who did well in the playoffs. Their victory over Siwelele in the Last 32 at Dr Molemela Stadium, showed that they are a fighting team because it is not easy to come back from that stadium.”
Nedbank Cup Last 16 fixtures:
Friday:
Richards Bay FC v AmaZulu FC (Umhlathuze Sports Complex, 7pm)
Saturday:
TS Galaxy v Mamelodi Sundowns (Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, 3pm); Upington City v Durban City (Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium, 3pm); Lamontville Golden Arrows v Stellenbosch FC (King Zwelithini Stadium, 6pm); Orlando Pirates v Casric Stars (Orlando Amstel Arena, 6pm)
Sunday:
Jacksa Spears v Vasco Da Gama (Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium, 3pm); Milford FC v Mkhambathi FC (Umhlathuze Sports Complex, 3pm); University of Pretoria v Sekhukhune United (Tuks Stadium, 3pm)