On paper, Chiefs face the toughest challenge of the three giants, as they square off against Chippa United at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Amakhosi have been plagued by inconsistent performances this season, and with the Nedbank Cup being their only realistic chance at silverware, they will be keen to push on and end a ten-year drought without a trophy. The good news for Chiefs fans is that they beat Chippa 1-0 in their last encounter (a league match in December 2024) and come into this fixture following an impressive 1-0 away win against Stellenbosch FC, with new signings Thabo Cele, Glody Lilepo, and Tashreeq Morris playing pivotal roles in the victory.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will continue their title defence when they host Baroka FC in their Last 16 tie at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers saw their five-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an end with a heavy 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in a top-of-the-table Betway Premiership clash last weekend. However, Pirates have shifted their focus back to the Nedbank Cup, where they aim to secure an unprecedented third consecutive title after victories in 2023 and 2024.

Baroka FC, a mid-table side in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, are without a win in their last two outings after a 1-1 draw against the University of Pretoria. Their best runs in the Nedbank Cup came in 2016 and 2020, when they reached the semifinals, and they will be eager to push even further this season.

Sundowns will take the field in what is expected to be the final Last 16 fixture, as they host Mpheni Home Defenders, a team from the third-tier ABC Motsepe League, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilians are likely to make several changes to their starting lineup, resting key players in anticipation of a busy season finale in both the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League.

In Bloemfontein, Marumo Gallants will seek revenge as they host AmaZulu FC at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday.

AmaZulu have the psychological advantage, having beaten Gallants 2-0 in a league match just last week. Sitting seventh in the Betway Premiership, Usuthu are only two points behind fourth-place TS Galaxy, having claimed seven points from their last three league fixtures. With their eyes set on reaching the Nedbank Cup final for the first time since 2010, AmaZulu will be looking to bounce back from last year's quarterfinal loss to Orlando Pirates.

Gallants, on the other hand, have not made a final since 2022, when they were heartbreakingly defeated by Sundowns in extra time. They will be determined to return to the final and make up for that narrow loss.

Lastly, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has postponed the Nedbank Cup fixture between Royal AM/Milford FC and Sekhukhune United due to ongoing legal issues surrounding Thwihli Thwahla.

The PSL cited recent legal developments as the reason for the postponement, and the match will be rescheduled at a later date. Originally, Royal AM were due to play Milford FC in the KZN Derby on January 27 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in the Last 32 of the competition. However, due to financial instability, the PSL suspended Royal AM, and their suspension remains in place until further notice, as the club has failed to prove its financial stability for the 2024/25 season.

Thwihli Thwahla have not played any matches since their 3-1 loss to TS Galaxy on December 29 in the Betway Premiership.

Nedbank Cup last 16 Preview: Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns all in action