A National First Division representative, Maritzburg United will travel to Pretoria to face the best team in South Africa in Mamelodi Sundowns. The NedBank Cup clash will begin on Sunday, March 17, at 5 PM CET.
Mamelodi Sundowns
The most successful team in South African football, Mamelodi Sundowns have recently achieved a nearly untouchable level. Six consecutive titles in the Premier League with a seventh likely coming up soon, two NedBank Cups, a local treble in 2021 - “Shoe Shine and Piano” are something else.
This season, outside of a loss in Lubumbashi to TP Mazembe in CAF Champions League, Sundowns are undefeated. Club is cruising to another title in the Premier League, advanced to the quarter finals of the Champions League, while in the previous round of NedBank Cup, the Sundowns demolished La Masia “6-1” on the road.
Maritzburg United
The Team of Choice have struggled recently, as they got relegated to the National First Division last year. Coming back to the Premier League might not be an option until the next season, since Maritzburg United are closer to yet another relegation than a playoff spot, so the NedBank Cup is the focus.
On the bright side, the team from Pietermaritzburg have not lost in 2024, including a “3-0” victory over Paarl United in the previous round, but a trip to Pretoria is coming up.
Prediction ⚽️
While Maritzburg United managed to snatch a point from the Sundowns last season on the road, the difference in class and quality is much more obvious this year.
The Premier League leaders should be able to not only win, but continue their quest for a treble, so we will side with the hosts securing an outright victory without going through an overtime session or a penalty shootout.