IN a controversial turn of events, the beleaguered KwaZulu-Natal based Premier Soccer League team, Royal AM, was also represented at the 2025 Nedbank Cup last 16 draw held in Randburg on Wednesday night.
Many would have been surprised to see Thwihli Thwahla captain Lesego Manganyi clad in his team’s colours in the podium with other players who were there representing teams that had progressed from the last 32 round.
⚽️ #NedbankCup round of 16 draw. How are we feeling about your team's opponent? 😬 pic.twitter.com/Hk0PlKNwLl
— Nedbank Sport (@nedbanksport) January 29, 2025
According to the statement sent out by the PSL last week, Royal AM is out of the 2025 Nedbank Cup due to their last 32 match against Milford being suspended.
Common sense and normal practice would mean that Milford should have advanced to the next round by default.
However, this seems to be not the case as even the draw master on Wednesday, PSL communications officer Fhatuwani Mpfuni announced the next round fixture as “Royal AM/Milford vs Sekhukhune United, the 2023 finalists will travel to KZN”.
The question that now faces everyone else and maybe even the sponsors, is - what exactly are the conditions of Royal AM’s matches being suspended?
Manganyi did not join his fellow players for interviews and draw reactions with the media after the draw.
The tall defender was not the only one missing from interviews as TS Galaxy and Vasco Da Gama were also missing as they were still going to play the round of 32 last match on Wednesday night.
Royal AM’s matches are currently suspended by the league due to them failing to give assurance that the issue that happened with their league fixture against Chippa United, will not be repeated.
That fixture was to be played in the Eastern Cape and Royal AM announced at the eleventh hour that they will not be able to pitch for it.
Royal AM’s inability to meet their fixtures is due to their finances being frozen by the South African Revenue Services.
The full Nedbank Cup last 16 draw:
Durban City vs Vasco Da Gama
Orlando Pirates vs Baroka
Kaizer Chiefs vs Chippa United
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mheni Home Defenders
Marumo Gallants vs AmaZulu
Royal AM/Milford vs Sekhukhune Uniyed
Stellenbosch FC vs Polokwane City
SuperSport United vs Cape Town Spurs