Nedbank wishes for Ke Yona Cup to resume but team search campaign has been canned

Nedbank has expressed its wish for the PSL season to be given the green light to resume so that the Nedbank Cup, which has three outstanding matches, can also be concluded.

When the matches restart after the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown, Mamelodi Sundowns will meet Bidvest Wits while Baroka FC are set to face Bloemfontein Celtic in the semifinals originally to scheduled for last month. The final was pencilled in for May 23.

“First prize would be for the Nedbank Cup to be completed. We are holding thumbs, but as a responsible corporate citizen, we understand there is a bigger issue right now. We are in contact with the PSL and waiting for guidance,” Nedbank head of sponsorships Tobie Badenhorst told SAfm radio station.

In the interview, Badenhorst also reiterated the bank’s decision to discontinue the popular Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search, which started in 2013.

While the global sports calendar has been disrupted by the pandemic, Badenhorst said their decision had nothing to do with the virus.

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“The Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search has been a fantastic vehicle for us throughout the years as a developmental competition. But we have reviewed all our objectives and made a business decision to now focus on football and finance,” he said.

“This will help brings us closer to our brand essence. We want to offer guidance and skill-sets to people out there who might have questions about how to manage their money – that’s our big focus right now.

“In line with our brand as money experts who do good, we launched an exciting campaign with our ambassador Benni McCarthy, which has been well received,” Badenhorst said.

The Ke Yona Team Search was driven by legends Doctor Khumalo and Jerry Sikhosana, alongside head coach Khabo Zondo. The final team picked would have played the winners of this year’s Nedbank Cup. The players also had a chance to be placed on trials across the 16 Premiership clubs.

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