One of the most prestigious trophies in South African football, the Carling Knockout Cup, is approaching its quarter-final stage.
The teams that have advanced to the quarter-finals are now confirmed, and the draw will soon determine the matchups. The tournament has already seen several surprising results that have caught the attention of fans.
Last season’s league champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, were eliminated after a dramatic encounter. Despite the match ending 0-0 after regular time and extra time, the Sundowns — who were reduced to ten men — lost to Marumo Gallants in a tense penalty shootout.
Another South African powerhouse, Kaizer Chiefs, also suffered a shock exit. Facing a ten-man Stellenbosch side, the Chiefs failed to find the back of the net, and the game went to penalties. Stellenbosch held their nerve in the shootout and secured a spot in the next round.
Meanwhile, Sekhukhune, who had made a strong start to the league campaign, were defeated 3-1 by Golden Arrows. Durban City overcame Polokwane, while Richards Bay comfortably beat Chippa United 4-1. Orlando Pirates narrowly edged past Siwelele with a 1-0 victory, and Magesi managed to eliminate AmaZulu in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.
The final team to qualify for the quarter-finals was TS Galaxy, who defeated ORBIT College 1-0 to book their place in the next round.