The tactical masterminds in the Nedbank Cup

The eight remaining coaches in the 2024 Nedbank Cup have a varied history in the competition but all have the same goal, to lift the trophy come the final on June 1 as they prepare for key quarterfinal clashes this weekend.

Here is a quick look at their past in South Africa’s most prestigious knockout competition with three former winners remaining in the hunt this campaign.

STEVE BARKER – STELLENBOSCH FC

Barker has yet to lift the Nedbank Cup but came mighty close with second-tier University of Pretoria as he led them to a surprise final appearance in 2009, though they fell short in a 1-0 loss to Moroka Swallows at the Rand Stadium. Now he hopes to do the same with more fancied Stellenbosch, who have shades of that AmaTuks team, with young, hungry players eager to make a name for themselves. He got Stellies to the semifinals last season where they lost on penalties to Sekhukhune United. Barker is currently the longest serving coach in the DStv Premiership having been at the Winelands Club since 2017. He is the nephew of late, revered former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker.

PABLO FRANCO – AMAZULU

Franco is in his first season in South African football, but the Spaniard is adapting quickly to his new environment. Usuthu have improved steadily as the campaign has gone on, and he will be hoping to make history with the team. AmaZulu have been to six previous finals of the Nedbank Cup competition, the last in 2010, but have never lifted the trophy. He could write his name into club folklore if he can pull it off.

GAVIN HUNT – SUPERSPORT UNITED

Hunt reached three Nedbank Cup finals in a row between 2012 and 2014 but won only one of them. That was a 2-0 success with SuperSport United against Mamelodi Sundowns, before