While Gallants have arguably the easier draw in the last eight of the competition, Durban City (formerly known as Maritzburg United) are the current National First Division leaders. 

With promotion to the top flight within reach, they will be eager to prove a point against a struggling Premier Soccer League side. They have already shown their pedigree in the competition by eliminating the high-flying Rockets of TS Galaxy and will be hungry for more success.

Veteran Gallants midfielder Siyabonga Nhlapo told OFM Sport that they need to move on from Tuesday night’s 1-0 league defeat to Stellenbosch FC and shift their focus to knockout football.

“I’d say we’re looking forward to the game. We came off a defeat on Tuesday against Stellenbosch,” said Nhlapo. Our focus was to move away from where we are in the league standings, but as professionals, we must put that behind us. 

“I think the technical team has done its research on our opposition, so now it’s about coming up with a solid game plan and executing it on Sunday. I believe we are ready. We should be up for it because we earned our place among the last eight teams in the tournament, and we want to go further.”

Abdeslam Ouaddou. Photo: Morgan Piek

Gallants are in a precarious position in the league, with the threat of relegation looming, but Nhlapo believes the cup competition deserves just as much attention as their survival battle. He feels success in one could positively impact the other.

“As professionals, we don’t get to pick and choose which games to focus on—we played Orlando Pirates, we played Stellies, we lost, but we also beat Pirates,” he added. “We can’t win the Last 32 and the Last 16, get to the Last 8, and suddenly start thinking about the league instead. 

“No, right now, the focus is on the cup. We want to reach the final, and this is our opportunity. We couldn’t have asked for a better position to do that. 

Masindi Nemtajela. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re going there to win. We must win. Winning will help us regain confidence and momentum for the league campaign. 

“Losing, whether in the cup or the league, means no progress. Wins bring progression, and that’s what we need.”

Nhlapo added that the arrival of new head coach Abdes Ouaddou has brought fresh energy into the camp. Ouaddou made an immediate impact, leading Gallants to a stunning 2-0 victory over Pirates in his first match in charge last week. 

“Yeah, most definitely. I think there was a period where we felt like we needed a boost, a fresh voice, and a new approach,” Nhlapo said. He certainly brought that, together with Coach Sundra Govender and Coach Duncan Lechesa. 

“The technical team is working well together, and as players, we are doing our best to implement their plans. He has brought a lot of enthusiasm, and the guys are responding positively.”

Sunday’s crucial Nedbank Cup quarter-final between Durban City and Gallants at the Chatsworth Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

 OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh