Isithombe Milford FC, Xanti Pupuma, is hoping for KZN final as his side face TS Galaxy while another KZN side, Durban City host Casric Stars.
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Owing to TS Galaxy being the top-tier side in their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash with Motsepe Foundation Championship team Milford FC, the Rockets should be clear favourites to secure a 2026 final spot; however, they should know better.
The team from Mpumalanga remains the only First Division side to ever win the Nedbank Cup, a feat they achieved when they defeated the mighty Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2018/19 season.
Galaxy will host Milford at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Galaxy have shown resilience this season and, as a result, of the four semi-finalists, they are the favourites to lift this year’s Nedbank Cup.
However, the fact that they themselves won the trophy by defeating the once upon a time "Cup Kings of Mzansi" — Amakhosi, who currently hold the record with 14 Nedbank Cup titles — should make them highly cautious of an upset by the Richards Bay-based Milford.
Speaking about facing Galaxy, Pupuma said:
"We've watched them how they play. They play with a lot of energy but it is nothing we cannot handle. I don't think they know a lot about us. Hopefully the fooball Gods will be smilling upon us."
Milford FC will look to keep their Nedbank Cup dream alive when they face TS Galaxy in the semi-final on Sunday.
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The first semi-final will be hosted by Durban City, who will welcome the sizzling-hot Casric Stars to Chatsworth on Saturday afternoon, also a 3pm kick-off. This match carries almost identical odds to Sunday’s fixture; City, the top-tier team, are hosting giant-slayers Casric, who are also chasing promotion from the Championship.
City are playing some stylish football at present, which has propelled them to fifth place in the league table. With that form, they have no reason not to fancy their chances of a first major trophy in their first season under a new name in the top flight.
Pupuma will be rooting for City as they hope for a KZN final.
"I know I've been saying (I see a) Milford-Casric final, but honestly deep down in the heart of hearts, I do wish it will be a KZN final. If it comes to that, then maybe we can campaigns to maybe fill-up Moses Mabhida and try and show people that it does not have to be Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns (playing there) in order to fill-up the stadiums," said Pupuma.
"We are KZN teams. If we win, I'm going to make it a point that we fill-up Moses Mabhida."
City may need to be more wary, though; Casric’s confidence has skyrocketed since they knocked out the mighty Buccaneers in the last 16 and an ambitious AmaZulu side in the quarter-finals. It makes the two Championship sides even more dangerous that they are currently hungrier to maintain winning momentum as they are both involved in tight promotion race.
After their cup outings, the two sides will meet each other in what should be a mouth-watering encounter — but perhaps a very tactical one — at uMhlathuze Sports Complex on April 8 (next Wednesday).
Only two points separate the two sides at the top of the Championship table, with Milford at the summit on 40 points while Casric are fourth. Kruger United and Hungry Lions occupy second and third positions respectively, with 40 and 39 points.
Both Milford coach Xanti Pupuma and Casric's Bucs Mthombeni have maintained that their priorities is promotion.
Ahead of the current international window both sides banked dramatic wins; Milford thrashed Baroka FC 5-0 at Umhlathuze Sports Complex while Casric won the Mpumalanga derby against Kruger by 4-0 KwaMhlanga.