Frank Mpedi outlines University of Pretoria's Nedbank Cup ambitions

AmaTuks, who occupy second spot in the Motsepe Foundation Championship – trailing log leaders Magesi FC by just one point after 21 matches, are gunning for a return to the top flight for the first time since 2015/16, when they suffered relegation via the play-offs.

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However, they are proving no pushovers in the Ke Yona cup competition, where they next face DStv Premiership side Moroka Swallows in the round of 16 this evening and, speaking to SABC Sport, Mpedi is clear about their intentions.

''For us, we're looking to go all the way to the finals, it helps us to keep the momentum - I mean we're going to play again in April. The Nedbank Cup will help to keep competing,'' said Mpedi.

Having beaten another Premiership side in Cape Town Spurs 1-0 in the last 32 last month, Mpedi believes facing another opponent from the topflight also helps them gauge their readiness to compete against the big boys, should they clinch promotion this year.

''Also, competing against PSL teams is good, because now we're gauging ourselves - if we are good enough to play in the PSL, this will help us to know if we are ready to play in the DStv Premiership next season,'' added Mpedi.

With The Dube Birds on a steep decline following their financial mishaps towards the end of last year, the Tshwane outfit will by no means take Musa Nyatama's chargers lightly as they look to progress to the quarter-finals.

''If we really look into the fact that they are struggling in the DStv Premiership, then we might go into that game complacent. We will give our best and not focus much on how they are currently performing in the PSL, we will prepare thoroughly,'' he concluded.

Some may remember this to be a repeat of the 2009 Nedbank Cup final, in which a premier-division Swallows beat a first-division Tuks, who then enjoyed a fairytale run in the competition – beating several big guns including Kaizer Chiefs along the way.

The 31-year-old, who is among the club's three first team captains alongside Samuel Julies and Thabiso Mokoena, said that it could well serve as some motivation in this tie.