Nedbank debunk 'loss' rhetoric after Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns cup exit

Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns all suffered early exits from this season's Nedbank Cup, with fans hysterical over a perceived loss of value for the sponsors.

However, Executive Head for Marketing Strategy, Tebogo Motsepe, has clarified to SABC Sport what the absence of the traditional big guns means for their brand.

"Yeah, thanks for the question, I mean we saw the narrative on social media people saying Nedbank is not happy with this outcome. I think let me start firstly by explaining why we are involved in the Nedbank Cup, outside of driving key commercial objectives and also from a brand perspective, we really believe in South African football and what we are doing is we're investing in our game by putting together what is without a doubt one of the best cup competitions,” Motsepe said.

“Not only in South Africa but around the world. It really pits PSL teams against National First Division, against teams from the SAFA league and you are always going to have that situation whereby it's a David versus Goliath and it's happened before. 

“I think because recency matters, people forget that we have had instances where we've had finals that didn't include any of the big teams and they were just as exciting and just as enthralling."

READ: Why youth development is KZN’s survival strategy

The quarterfinal draw has seen AmaZulu pitted against Casric Stars, Sekhukhune United against Milford FC, TS Galaxy against Jacksa Spears and Golden Arrows against Durban City.

In case there was ever any doubt, that all of Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns are already eliminated, Motsepe agrees that it also fortifies the transparent and honest nature of the competition, rather than prioritising the interest in 'the big three'.

"Yeah, I mean, I think the PSL is a professional entity highly reputable, so there is no way that we are going to participate in any of those and also as Nedbank we want this to be honest, fair and transparent, those are our values as well,” he added.

“So, we do not do that and also the draws are done live so everyone can see. So, we are very transparent about the drawing process and also who could have kind of predicted that we'd get the outcomes that we got this weekend. 

“Even if we somehow messed with the draws, it was those outcomes and that's what makes this competition what it is.

“And as I say, people must stay glued to their TV's, what we have planned is going to be just as exciting but we also know that the action on the field will be as exciting because you can imagine for all of these teams and for all of these players, it represents an opportunity that otherwise, some of them thought they wouldn't have, to win a prestigious cup competition of this magnitude."