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The first round of the Nedbank Cup has so far recorded two notable upsets in the ongoing edition of the famed Ke Yona competition.
Interestingly, the two giant-slayers, Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Hungry Lions, will size up against the PSL big boys again today.
The Mavuti Boys, as the university side is known among their followers, have a date with Mamelodi Sundowns in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, and the Lions face Baroka FC in Polokwane. Both games are taking place this afternoon.
The two Safa lower-division outfits played along to the tournament’s “David versus Goliath” storyline when they knocked out fancied Lamontville Golden Arrows and Jomo Cosmos, respectively, in the Last 32.
Coming from the structures that not many pay attention to, the VUT and Lions players hope only to get recognition in this cup, the same way Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali came through.
The one-time Bafana Bafana player was part of the University of Pretoria – AmaTuks – side that defied all the odds to reach the 2009 final.
Tuks were beaten 1-0 by Moroka Swallows in that decider, but the fairy tale run paved the way for Jali to sign for Orlando Pirates. His co-midfielder at the time, Mthokozisi Yende, was snapped up by Kaizer Chiefs. Similarly, Jali’s team-mate, Themba Zwane, was signed by Sundowns in 2011 from Vardos FC, a Tembisa-based third-tier club that also once played in the Nedbank Cup.
These are some of the inspirational stories that make VUT believe that their players – who are mostly full-time students – can emulate those who, having cut their teeth in the lower leagues, came shining through.
VUT head coach Stanley Nkoana told City Press: “This is good for us – the amateur teams – in that our boys get to rub shoulders with their idols.
“I have a feeling we’ll go all the way in the competition and this will give our boys exposure.”
Striker Reitumetse Hlongwane and goalkeeper Obakeng Naane have already introduced themselves in style when they scored the crucial goals that upstaged Arrows in the Last 32.
“It still feels like a dream, but an incomplete one,” said Hlongwane, who idolises late Orlando Pirates striker Lesley Manyathela.
With his side trailing 2-1, he scored the last-gasp goal that sent the game into extra time, while third-year sports management student Naane (22) converted the sudden death penalty that gave his side a 6-5 win and a place in the Last 16.
Hlongwane, who turns 27 on Friday, said his side was poised for the exam against Sundowns today.
“There is no doubt that Sundowns is a big team. We’ll give our all and play wholeheartedly – the same way we have done so far.
“We are happy to have gone this far and we’ll go with the flow. Reaching the Last 32 of the competition was an achievement on its own.”
The third-year electrical engineering student from Evaton said that, as much he was hoping to make it in football, he would still have his academic qualification to turn to should his dream as a professional player fizzle out.
In Polokwane, coach Henry Basie’s Hungry Lions should draw inspiration from Baroka, who came to prominence via the Nedbank Cup in 2011 when the Limpopo club was also campaigning in the third-tier league.
The Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League leaders from Postmasburg, the Lions knocked out Cosmos.
Reanetse Ramatlhapeng scored the solitary goal that sent his side to the next round.
The 23-year-old midfielder will hope to make an impression, get a second bite at the cherry and get scouted by a big club.
Ramatlhapeng joined the Lions from Orlando Pirates’ reserve team.
The Lions also have former Bloemfontein Celtic winger Moses Spandeel, who is turning 40 later this year.
Basie and his ambitious team can only hope to make another great trek count –they have had to travel many kilometres for the game against Cosmos at Olën Park Stadium in Potchefstroom, North West.
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