Carling Knockout Last 16 Draw Confirmed—Full Matchups Inside
Defending champions Orlando Pirates will kick off their Carling Knockout Cup title defense at home against Milford FC following Wednesday evening’s Round of 16 draw.
Elsewhere, recently crowned MTN8 champions Mamelodi Sundowns draw last season’s executioners Marumo Gallants, while Kaizer Chiefs host TS Galaxy.
The Buccaneers enter as current league cup holders, having defeated Marumo Gallants in last season’s final at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Sundowns, fresh off their weekend MTN8 final triumph over Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium, seek their first Carling Knockout crown since 2019.
How Did the Carling Knockout Cup Draw Seeding Work?
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) utilized a seeded draw format based on last season’s league standings:
- Pot 1 (Seeded): Clubs that finished in positions 1 through 8.
- Pot 2 (Unseeded): Clubs that finished in positions 9 through 14, alongside newly promoted sides Kruger United and Milford FC.
This structure ensured top-tier giants Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Kaizer Chiefs could not draw each other in the opening round.
Key Storylines: Reagans & Reunions
- Sundowns vs Gallants: Sundowns face a revenge fixture against Marumo Gallants, the side that eliminated them at this exact stage of the competition last season.
- Chiefs vs TS Galaxy: Kaizer Chiefs—seeking to end a league cup drought stretching back to the 2010/11 season—host a dangerous TS Galaxy side at home.
- Sekhukhune vs Richards Bay: Sekhukhune United head coach Papi Zothwane faces a dramatic reunion with former employers Richards Bay FC, having departed the Natal Rich Boys at the end of last season.
Full Carling Knockout Round of 16 Fixtures
- Kruger United vs AmaZulu FC
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants
- Golden Arrows vs Chippa United
- Durban City vs Stellenbosch FC
- Orlando Pirates vs Milford FC
- Polokwane City vs Siwelele
- Sekhukhune United vs Richards Bay FC
- Kaizer Chiefs vs TS Galaxy
Note: The Premier Soccer League (PSL) will confirm official match dates, kick-off times, and venues in due course.
