Richards Bay co-coach Papi Zothwane believes his side can write their name into the history books by winning the Nedbank Cup.
With Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns locked in a tight Betway Premiership title race, Zothwane admits that for smaller or medium-sized clubs, winning the league has become increasingly difficult.
Realistically, cup competitions present the best opportunity for silverware outside the traditional powerhouses.
However, even that route is challenging. Pirates have already secured two domestic trophies this season — the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup — highlighting the dominance of South Africa’s top clubs.
Can the Underdogs Still Dream?
The Nedbank Cup is widely known as the “Cup of Dreams,” but recent seasons have seen the trophy claimed by the country’s heavyweights. Over the past four campaigns, it has been lifted by Sundowns, Pirates (twice), and Kaizer Chiefs.
The last underdog to win the competition was Marumo Gallants (then Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila) in the 2020/21 season.
Before that, TS Galaxy stunned Chiefs in the 2018/19 final in Durban, while Free State Stars triumphed in 2017/18 after defeating Durban City, formerly known as Maritzburg United.
These examples, according to Zothwane, prove that Richards Bay can also challenge for glory.
Focus on AmaZulu in Round of 16
The Natal Rich Boys will host AmaZulu FC in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 at Umhlathuze Sports Ground on Friday as they target a place in the quarter-finals.
“If you take it into consideration, a cup game is an opportunity to change lives,” said Zothwane, who lifted the Carling Knockout last season as assistant coach at Magesi FC after beating Sundowns in the final.
“Winning a final brings incentives for the players and is good for the team. But our main focus is to prepare properly for each game.”
The Natal Rich Boyz have reached the last three semi-finals of the Carling Knockout, with every team that eliminated them going on to win the tournament — a testament to their competitiveness in knockout football.
“In cup competitions, the team has been doing exceptionally well,” Zothwane added. “But you don’t just play to reach the next round. The bigger picture is to win the cup — that is what teams are playing for.
“It is possible when you consider the teams that have won the cup before. It is no different for us.”
