South African football icon Stanton Fredericks has shared his bold predictions for the upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-finals.
With just four teams left, the tension is building. Chippa United will take on Orlando Pirates on Saturday, May 4th, at 3 PM at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, while Mamelodi Sundowns will visit the in-form Stellenbosch FC on Sunday, May 5th, at 3 PM at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The defending champions, Orlando Pirates, are determined to repeat their success from last year. Meanwhile, Chippa United, who have never won a major trophy, view this as a historic opportunity.
Mamelodi Sundowns, recently crowned DStv Premiership champions, last won the Nedbank Cup in the 2021/22 season. They are pursuing a treble, having already secured the African Football League title earlier this season.
Stellenbosch FC, unbeaten in their last 25 matches across all competitions, aim to capture their second trophy of the season after winning the Carling Knockout Cup in December.
Stanton Fredericks Believes Pirates And Stellenbosch Will Go Through
“The number of goals that Pirates have been scoring is in the last couple of fixtures, it’s just phenomenal,” said Fredericks.
“In the last game, they made a few changes, six to be exact and still they managed to overcome Cape Town City away in Cape Town.
“So, I think Pirates, for me, has the upper edge. They’re confident and the current holders.
“And Chippa United losing their last two games after going ahead. I think they will be coming into this very cautious, and I think Pirates will have the upper hand.”
Stellenbosch FC vs. Mamelodi Sundowns – ‘It’s a Big One’
“And the second semi-final, this is a big one; it’s just brilliant how the football has been set up here,” he added.
“The quality that Stellenbosch has been delivering, the prestige level that Sundowns have been maintaining for the last couple of years.
“However, I think the schedule, having played on Monday. I think, in fact, Champions League on Friday before that, played on Monday, tonight [Thursday], they have a game against Kaizer Chiefs, and they’re playing on Sunday.
“Because of that, I’m gonna say, and I’m gonna boldly say this that I think, Stellenbosch coming from scoring a lot of goals, playing good football, having that unbeaten record and having solutions from the bench, I do think that Stellenbosch will take this one and will see themselves in the final.”
Fredericks recognizes that Sundowns’ packed schedule could play a key role in determining the outcome. He suggests that the Western Cape team can take advantage of this situation.
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