1 – There was a single own goal scored in the Last 32, netted by the unfortunate Thabani Zuke of Richards Bay. But his side still advanced after they edged Siwelele on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
3 – Three teams from the amateur ranks advanced past the Last 32, which is one shy of the record of four. CR Vasco da Gama, Jacksa Spears and Mkhambathi all made it through the first round.
3 – Richards Bay forward Lundi Mahala was the only player to score a hat-trick in the Last 32 as he managed all his side’s goals in the 3-3 draw with Siwelele. His first was a little fortunate as a shot deflected off him and into the goal. They all count and he heads the Golden Boot race.
3 – The biggest margin of victory in the Last 32 was just three goals, well down on most years. CR Vasco da Gama beat Luthuli Brigades 4-1, TTM lost by the same scoreline to Orlando Pirates, Army Rocket lost 3-0 to Casric Stars and Lamontville Golden Arrows also defeated Orbit College 3-0.
5 – Five of the 16 matches in the Last 32 went to a penalty shoot-out, which was one short of the record in the competition set in 2024. On that occasion, six of the Last 32 ties needed spot-kicks. In all, eight ties, exactly half, went to extra time.
6 – The quickest goal of the Last 32 came from Luthuli Brigades’ Ntshuxeko Mkhabela, who netted after only six minutes. His side lost 4-1 to CR Vasco da Gama.
8 – There were eight away wins in the Last 32 to go with eight home victories. The first five ties played were all won by the away team. Five of those away victories did not require penalties.
8 – Eight of the 32 teams failed to get on the scoresheet, with only one of those from the amateur ranks, Army Rockets. Second-tier Highbury and Upington City also could not find the back of the net, along with topflight sides Durban City, Chippa United, Magesi FC, Orbit College and Marumo Gallants.
9 – Nine of the 16 Betway Premiership clubs advanced to the Last 16. The only one to lose to lower-league opponents was Magesi FC, who were ousted by second-tier Upington City via a penalty shoot-out after their clash ended 0-0.
17 – Mamelodi Sundowns have now advanced from the Last 32 in 17 of the 19 seasons of the Nedbank Cup, the best record of any club. Their only early exits came in 2011 versus Orlando Pirates (0-1) and in 2019 against Chippa United (1-2).
22 – There were 22 goals scored in the first half of games in the Last 32, with 14 in the second half and a further 10 in extra time. Teams made fast starts to games.
40 – There were 40 different players on the scoresheet in the Last 32 (not including own goals), with the only players to net more than once being the hat-trick from Lundi Mahala (Richards Bay), and braces for TJ Diedericks (CR Vasco da Gama), Moeti Mofokeng (Jacksa Spears) and Thuso Mogale (Casric Stars).
46 – There were 46 goals scored in the 16 matches in the Last 32, an average of 2.88 per game. That is slightly under the previous season, when 53 goals were scored in 15 matches (3.53 per game).
