Nedbank Cup semis draw: Second-tier sides kept apart to leave chance of historic final

Four teams remain in the hunt for the Nedbank Cup trophy
Four teams remain in the hunt for the Nedbank Cup trophyProfimedia

The two remaining Motsepe Foundation Championship sides in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals have been kept apart by the draw, which raises the intriguing prospect of a first-ever all-second-tier final on May 2.

Milford FC will go to TS Galaxy for their semi-final, while Casric Stars are away at Durban City.

Here is a quick guide to those last-four clashes that are scheduled to be played on April 4–5.

TS Galaxy vs Milford FC

Galaxy have been drawn at home for the fourth time in a row in this year’s Nedbank Cup, and the sixth time in seven ties going back to last season.

The 2019 winners, who were a second-tier outfit themselves when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the final, were ironically away in every tie when they lifted the trophy seven years ago.

They host Milford FC, who have aspirations of being a topflight side themselves next season and are among the front-runners in the promotion push.

Milford have twice needed penalties in this year’s competition, first to see off amateurs SSU M17 in the Last 32, and then Sekhukhune United in the quarter-finals. They also famously defeated Kaizer Chiefs on spot-kicks in 2024.

They face Galaxy for the first time and, like Casric Stars, will hope to become the fifth second-tier side to reach the Nedbank Cup final after Mpumalanga Black Aces (2008), University of Pretoria (2009), Black Leopards (2011) and Galaxy.

Galaxy’s only previous semifinal was in 2019 when they defeated Lamontville Golden Arrows 3-1 after extra-time. 

Durban City vs Casric Stars

Penalty kings Durban City welcome Casric Stars for their semi-final clash, having relied heavily on goalkeeper Darren Keet this season.

City are through to this stage after three draws, with shootout wins over Chippa United, second-tier Upington City and Golden Arrows.

When you add in their quarter-final defeat to Marumo Gallants last season, the last four Durban City Nedbank Cup ties have had to be decided on penalties.

They will be wary of Casric Stars, who have already seen off Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu in this year’s competition, and have been away in all five of their previous Nedbank Cup fixtures.

As Durban City, following their rebranding from Maritzburg United, the club have yet to lose a Nedbank Cup tie. They have played six, won two and drawn four. Three of those games ended 0–0.

These two sides met twice in the league last season when both campaigned in the second tier.

City won 2–1 on the opening day of the campaign, but Stars hit back with a 1–0 victory at home in the reverse fixture.

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