SA football legend Stanton Fredericks has offered his bold predictions for the upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
With only four teams remaining, the competition heats up. Chippa United will host Orlando Pirates on Saturday, May 4th, at 3 PM at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while Mamelodi Sundowns travels to face red-hot Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, May 5th, at 3 PM at Danie Craven Stadium.
Pirates, the defending champions, aim to repeat their success from last year. Chippa United, on the other hand, have never won a major trophy and view this as a historic opportunity.
Sundowns, who were crowned DStv Premiership champions on Thursday, last won the Nedbank Cup in the 2021/22 season. They’re seeking a treble, having also won the African Football League earlier this season.
Stellenbosch, undefeated in their last 25 matches across all competitions, aim for their second trophy this season after lifting the Carling Knockout Cup in December.
STANTON FREDERICKS BELIEVES PIRATES AND STELLENBOSCH WILL GO THROUGH
“The number of goals that Pirates have been scoring is in the last couple of fixtures, it’s just phenomenal,” said Fredericks.
“In the last game, they made a few changes, six to be exact and still they managed to overcome Cape Town City away in Cape Town.
“So, I think Pirates, for me, has the upper edge. They’re confident and the current holders.
“And Chippa United losing their last two games after going ahead. I think they will be coming into this very cautious, and I think Pirates will have the upper hand.”
Fredericks acknowledges Sundowns’ demanding schedule as a potential deciding factor. He believes the Western Cape side can exploit this to their benefit
STELLIES VS SUNDOWNS – ‘IT’S A BIG ONE’
“And the second semi-final, this is a big one; it’s just brilliant how the football has been set up here,” he added.
“The quality that Stellenbosch has been delivering, the prestige level that Sundowns have been maintaining for the last couple of years.
“However, I think the schedule, having played on Monday. I think, in fact, Champions League on Friday before that, played on Monday, tonight [Thursday], they have a game against Kaizer Chiefs, and they’re playing on Sunday.
“Because of that, I’m gonna say, and I’m gonna boldly say this that I think, Stellenbosch coming from scoring a lot of goals, playing good football, having that unbeaten record and having solutions from the bench, I do think that Stellenbosch will take this one and will see themselves in the final.”
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