The
2013 Nedbank Cup semi-final draw held today has left the four teams within
touching distance of the coveted 2012/13 Nedbank Cup trophy. National First
Division outfit, United FC is the only side competing outside the Premier
Division that has secured a place in the semi-finals.
United
FC are hoping to write their names into South African football folklore and
join the likes of Mpumalanga Black Aces (2008), University of Pretoria (2009)
and Black Leopards (2011) in making the final of the competition while still a
second-tier side. Giving them hope is the fact that every time a team from the
NFD has reached the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup since 2008, they have gone
on to appear in the deciding match.
“Congratulations
to the four remaining sides in the 2013 Nedbank Cup. The road to this point has
been tough for all of them and they have shown exemplary character and no
shortage of skill in reaching the semi-finals. The teams are now just one win
away from the biggest knockout game in South African football. All of us at
Nedbank would like to wish them the very best of luck,” said Sydney Mbhele,
Divisional Executive for Integrated Marketing at Nedbank.
The
Nedbank Cup will also continue to benefit schools and communities around the
country. For the 2013 season, the bank
will donate R8 000 per goal scored towards the Nedbank Cup Goals4Goals
campaign. To date, R 704 000 through 88
goals scored has been raised towards this goal. In total, R1 million will go
towards the establishment of a multipurpose sport court for a school in South
Africa. The beneficiary school has been identified and will be announced at the
Nedbank Cup final. A further R1 million will be used for soccer kit donations
and soccer training to 100 schools across the country as part of the bank’s
sport development initiatives.
In
addition, the Nedbank Ke Yona Team search launched earlier this year has
gathered momentum and the first trials are ready to start on 20 April in Port
Elizabeth. Bidding South African male soccer stars between the ages of 18 and
35 are preparing to secure their slot in the team that will challenge the 2013
Nedbank Cup winners in 2014. The try-outs will be broadcast on 4 May, SABC 1
where South Africans will have an opportunity to follow the progress of the
Nedbank Ke Yona team.
Nedbank Cup
Semi-Final Draw
Kaizer
Chiefs vs United FC
Platinum
Stars vs SuperSport United
Dates
and venues for the Nedbank Cup semi-finals will be announced soon.
