Black Leopards have reason to believe that their next match in the top 16 for the Nedbank Cup will be a mere formality. The draw for the prestigious competition was held at the Nedbank Melrose Arch offices in Johannesburg on Monday morning.

The Thohoyandou outfit drew the Vodacom Promotional League side, BTX Liverpool, during the interesting draw. Leopards´ general manager, Samuel Khaphathe, could not hide his happiness during an interview shortly after the draw.

He was quick to mention that they were going to beat the amateur side and advance to the quarter-final stage of the rich competition. Khaphathe stated that they were not worried about the fact that it will be an away fixture for them.

BTX Liverpool beat fellow Vodacom Promotional League side Blackburn Rovers 5-4 on penalties to book a place in the last-16 stage. Black Leopards crushed Thanda Royal Zulu 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last Wednesday to secure a place in the top-16 stage.

The other Limpopo-based side, Baroka FC, will meet Moroka Swallows in the last-16 stage. The match will probably be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as Baroka have won the home-ground advantage. The rest of the fixtures are: United FC vs Orlando Pirates, Bidvest Wits vs Kaizer Chiefs, Amazulu vs Carara Kicks, Platinum Stars vs Vasco Da Gama, Free State Stars vs Supersport United and Witbank Spurs vs Mpumalanga Black Aces.

The dates and venues for the matches will be announced by the competition committee this afternoon (Friday).