Nedbank Cup Preliminary Rounds — Group A / Match Report | 10 October 2026
Sinenkani FC came agonisingly close to a place in the next round of the Nedbank Cup, only to fall at the final hurdle of the Alfred Nzo region’s Group A on Saturday 10 October. Having battled through a tense semi-final, Sinenkani ran into a Bizana Pondo City side in ruthless form in the decider, going down 2-0 to the eventual group winners. It was a day of fine margins that ultimately ended in disappointment, but not before Sinenkani had shown real character to get within one match of progression.
Nerve Held In The Shootout
Sinenkani’s route to the final was anything but straightforward. Locked at 1-1 with Matatiele FC in the semi, the tie went to penalties, and it was Sinenkani who held their nerve to win the shootout 5-4 and book their place in the Group A decider. Coming through a shootout takes composure and belief, and Sinenkani had both when it mattered, setting up a final-round meeting with Bizana Pondo City — who had earlier beaten Ravens FC 2-0.
Coming Up Short In The Final
The final proved a step too far. Bizana Pondo City were clinical, running out 2-0 winners to claim top spot in Group A and the single qualifying berth that came with it. With only group winners advancing, the defeat brought Sinenkani’s cup adventure to a close despite the earlier heroics from the penalty spot. It was a harsh way for such a committed campaign to end, but there was no disgrace in losing to the group’s standout side.
Final word
Reaching a Nedbank Cup qualifying final and winning a penalty shootout along the way is a run Sinenkani can hold their heads high about, even with the disappointment of the last-day defeat. The focus now returns to the ABC Motsepe League, where the same resilience shown against Matatiele can drive the club’s season forward. Cup exits sting, but this group has shown it knows how to compete when the pressure is on.
