The Nedbank Cup is back to delight soccer fans and promises to deliver great action on the pitch for the next few months. As always, teams from various levels of South African football are going head-to-head in a knockout tournament for the championship title. The nature of the Nedbank Cup lends itself to unpredictable outcomes, and it’s always thrilling to see a lower-league team take on a giant and win.

The final of this feast of football will be decided on 1 June. If you can’t make it to a stadium to watch Nedbank Cup matches live, the next best thing is to gather a group of fans together for your very own watch party.

Can a home watch party match the live experience?

You won’t miss the spirit and atmosphere of the stadium if you’re surrounded by family and friends who are just as enthusiastic about the football as you are. And unlike a stadium or a sports bar, you control the guest list, so you don’t have to put up with any antisocial behaviour from strangers.

Apart from that, the scale of your home watch party depends entirely on your budget.

Tips for hosting a stress-free watch party
 

• Decide how many people your home can accommodate comfortably and create a guest list.
  
  
• Arrange your furniture so that everyone has a comfortable seat and can see the game. Use additional seating like cushions, camp chairs and bean bags to create a cosy stadium-like atmosphere for the fans. Make sure you also have extra tables for food and drinks.
  
  
• If you want to take your party to the next level, set a theme with the colours of your favourite team and get creative with décor. Ask your guests to dress in their supporters’ kits to increase the positive vibe.
  
  
• Check with guests about any special dietary needs in advance and serve a variety of food to cater for everyone. Have a range of non-alcoholic drinks on offer.

• Include some child-friendly meals and snacks if kids are attending. Create a fun space for them to hang out in, with activities to keep them busy when they aren’t watching the game with you.
  
  
• Adults also love fun activities, so have some soccer-themed party games to play during halftime.
  
  
• Ensure that everyone gets home safely – either with a dedicated driver who stays sober during the watch party, or in a taxi.

You don’t have to be in a stadium or fan park to get that Nedbank Cup vibe – you can throw a watch party at your home and have your friends bring the excitement. And don’t forget to capture your watch party moments on camera and share them on our social-media pages.

Upgrade your viewing with Avo SuperShop

If you need a few essentials to create a vibrant atmosphere, explore what Avo SuperShop has to offer. Keen to upgrade your tech to ensure a stadium-like experience? You can find everything from big screens, laptops and desktops to speakers and entertainment systems on Avo. You’ll also find kitchen appliances, glassware, tableware and home furnishings – and even portable power solutions, so that not even load-shedding can spoil your party. Avo offers a range of safe, secure payment options, with all your party necessities conveniently delivered to your door.

Win with the Nedbank Cup

This year, the Nedbank Cup offers fans even more excitement, with the Ke Yona, Ya Rona competition for individual fans and stokvels. Pick the right team, and you could win your share of R5 million, or your stokvel could win R500,000.

To enter as an individual:

• Pick your favourite team.
  
  
• Open a MiGoals Plus Account.
  
  
• Complete the weekly challenges and stay on top of your game. 
   

To enter as a stokvel:

• Pick your favourite team.
  
  
• Open a Stokvel Account and deposit R50 or more to enter.

Terms and conditions apply.