Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Winnerspark hope their coming out of the hat first in the inaugural Nedbank Cup preliminary draw yesterday was a sign of good things to come.

At the draw in Parktown, the Seshego-based side were pitted against Inland stream title-chasers Bay United in what is bound to be a thriller.

Thethe Mogotsi, Winnerspark general manager, said afterwards: "It's a tough draw but we are happy to play at home.

"The focus for now is to reach the last-32 stage of the competition. Naturally, the plan is to go all the way to the final because we don't have a sponsor.

"The little that we'll get when we proceed further will help us to acquire several things. I also want to emphasise that we won't lose focus on the league.

'There are still 33 points to play for. There will be several new players that we will be unveiling in the next few weeks because we are finalising the contracts," said Mogotsi.

Also present at the draw was the equally optimistic Stan Mosia, the media and brand manager of the Port Elizabeth-based United.

"We are quite pleased with the draw, we are looking forward to doing well. Our strength has always been playing away."

Another exciting draw is between GaRankuwa United and Mpumalanga Black Aces. The latter are now guided by Kenny Ndlazi, who joined them last week after being dismissed by GaRankuwa United.

"We are going to dismantle United," said Thabo Moroape, Aces' publicist.

Gene Petersen, chief executive officer of Inland log leaders FC AK, is adamant they will do well against Western Province United.

Dan Leboa, PSL acting general manager, said the matches will be played on the weekend of January 24, 25 and 26.

The full draw, with the club mentioned first getting a home ground advantage, is:

Winnerspark v Bay United

Maritzburg United v African Warriors

University of Pretoria v Nathi Lions

Witbank Spurs v Ikapa Sporting

Durban Stars v Hanover Park

FC AK v Western Province United

Ga-Rankuwa United v Mpumalanga Black Leopards

Dynamos v FC Cape Town.