Teams affiliated with the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League will play their Nedbank Cup preliminary-round matches this Saturday.
The match expected to attract a large crowd will be between Vondwe XI Bullets and Musina United at the Makonde Stadium. A look at Bullets' recent performances suggests that United will have to double their efforts to beat them. Stopping Bullets' strike force — Lucky Mutshotsho, Talifhani Manyaga and Phathutshedzo Nemagovhani — will not be an easy task for United's defenders. Bullets finished their league campaign in second place last season.
Mpheni Defenders will travel to the Senwabarwana Sports Complex outside Polokwane, where they will face The Dolphins FC. To show they are serious about promotion this season, Defenders have strengthened their squad by signing four experienced players. Their biggest acquisition is former Black Leopards and Orlando Pirates midfielder Meshack Maphangule. The other new signings are Thulani Mabizela, Mpimo Maswanganyi and Masilakhe Phohlongo.
Mpheni Defenders are the defending league champions. They were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Betway Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat them 2-0 in the round of 16 last season.
Tzaneen United will host Baduzah Celtic at the Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen. The Phalaborwa derby between Selwana White Vultures and newly promoted Phalaborwa United will be played at the Selwana Sports Complex in Phalaborwa.
The other preliminary-round fixtures are: Makotopong Bahumi vs Mohlabile United, Royal Pirates vs Tubatse United, Mighty FC vs City Motors, and Ramatlaohle United vs University of Limpopo FC.