Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs Get Easy Nedbank Cup Draw, Mamelodi Sundowns to Play Away

• Orlando Pirates begin their Nedbank Cup title defence against a regional qualifier
• Kaizer Chiefs have been drawn against a Motsepe Foundation Championship team
• The Nedbank Cup draw was finalised on January 18 with 31 clubs and a space saver

Plucky underdogs are licking their lips at the chance to be giant killers.

The Nedbank Cup draw has punctuated the Africa Cup of Nations break to remind fans of the domestic football they have been missing.

The Premier Soccer League's 16 teams were thrown into a pot with 16 qualifiers and a combination of big-gun clashes and potential banana skins await.

Orlando Pirates are the defending champions, having beaten Sekhukhune United in last season's final. Pirates travel to Mpumalanga to reportedly face either Middleburg United or Crystal Lake FC, once their SAFA dispute is resolved.

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A Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) team will travel to the big city from the KZN coast to try and topple the Glamour Boys. Milford FC are currently 12th in the MFC and will relish these rare occasions.

The clash of the round features the two teams tied for second place in the DStv Premiership. Eric Tinkler's Cape Town City travel to Tshwane to land a psychological knockout blow against SuperSport United.

Diane Klate's NB La Masia were the first name out of the pot and have been given the toughest task on the African continent - beating Mamelodi Sundowns.

Buccaneers captain, Innocent Maela said at the draw ceremony in Johannesburg, per Orlando Pirates' official handle on X:

"We are excited to campaign again, to start our quest to defend our trophy. With this team, we have shown the pedigree, we shown that we are more than capable of winning trophies. The aim is to defend our title and to go out there and make our people happy."

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The dates and times for the Round of 32 have not been confirmed yet and will be shared in due course.

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Relive the 2023 Nedbank Cup final

Last season, Sports Brief reported on the dramatic 2023 Nedbank Cup final won by Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers stole the title in injury time thanks to a goal by midfielder, Terrence Dzvukamanja.

A beautiful diagonal ball found Monnapule Saleng, who squared a ball for the Zimbabwean to finish.