Tiisetso Malepa

Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits will renew their cup rivalry in a Nedbank Cup last 32 encounter at the Bidvest Stadium on the weekend of February 22 after the two Premiership outfits were pitted against each other in the FA Cup version of South African football.

The Clever Boys defeated Amakhosi 3-2 in the opening round of the 2012 Telkom Knockout in October. The pair must now face-off again as they seek a passage through to the second round of the Nedbank Cup.

It is arguably the pick of the ties in the last 32.

And though defending champions SuperSport United will not relish a home meeting with MTN8 champions Moroka Swallows, Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter yesterday expressed optimism over meeting their fellow top-flight opposition.

“The draw could have gone either way.

“Drawing a PSL side at this stage of the Cup will be difficult but the players will be look forward to the game as they beat us in the Telkom Cup.

“We beat them in the league this season. We are looking forward to the game.”

Wits and Chiefs have met no less than 25 times in cup competitions since 1985.

The Soweto team has claimed 13 wins compared to six for the University-based team, though Wits have emerged triumphant on all three occasions that the teams have gone to penalties.

Overall, Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits have met in 78 league and cup matches since 1985.

The Amakhosi have recorded 39 victories to the Clever Boys’ 16, while there have been 23 draws.

The two clubs have already met once this season, with Chiefs winning 3-1 in a league match at Mbombela Stadium thanks to a brace from in-form striker Bernard Parker.

Wits co-director George Mogotsi said yesterday that matches against Chiefs were always enticing and brought the best out of the Clever Boys.

tiisetsom@thenewage.co.za

Nedbank Cup draw

SuperSport United v Moroka Swallows

Wits v Kaizer Chiefs

Maluti FET College v Orlando Pirates

Ajax Cape Town v Sundowns

Mbombela United v Vasco da Gama/Santos

AmaZulu v Temba Royals FC

Black Leopards v Cape Town All Stars

University of Pretoria v Maritzburg

United FC/Roses United v Chippa United

Bloem Celtic v Milano United/Thanda Royal Zulu

Island FC v Polokwane City/F.C.A.K

Vardos FC v Golden Arrows

Dynamos/Mpumalanga Black Aces v Platinum Stars

Magesi FC v Jomo Cosmos/FC Cape Town

Sivutsa Stars/African Warriors v Jacksa Spears

Free State Stars v Witbank Spurs/Blackburn Rovers