Orlando Pirates will hit the road for the first time in this season’s Carling Knockout tournament. The Buccaneers face a trip to KwaZulu-Natal after being drawn away against Richards Bay FC in the semifinal draw held on Wednesday....Click to Read More >>➤
The draw took place immediately after the quarterfinal clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium. In that match, Marumo Gallants secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC.
Pirates enjoyed home advantage in the previous two rounds. They defeated Siwelele FC 1-0 at Orlando Stadium in the last-16. They then edged defending champions Magesi FC 2-1 in the quarterfinals at the same venue. Their upcoming journey to face Richards Bay marks a significant shift in this Carling Knockout campaign.
This semifinal pairing is a repeat of a clash from the 2023/24 edition. The two teams met in the second round of the competition last season. That match, a tightly-contested affair in Durban, ended in a penalty shootout. Richards Bay ultimately triumphed, knocking Pirates out of the Carling Knockout on that occasion.
The upcoming match poses a critical question. Can Richards Bay replicate their previous success and cause another Carling Knockout upset against the Buccaneers? Or will Orlando Pirates demonstrate their strength and secure a final berth? The outcome of this Carling Knockout semifinal remains eagerly anticipated.
Mngqithi Aims for Carling Knockout Glory
In the other semifinal, Golden Arrows will face a confident Marumo Gallants side. Arrows’ coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, is no stranger to cup success. He previously guided Golden Arrows to the MTN8 title back in 2009. Now, he has set his sights on winning the Carling Knockout with Abafana Bes’thende.
Arrows advanced to the final four by defeating TS Galaxy 2-1 in their quarterfinal this past weekend. Mngqithi reflected on his team’s approach following that hard-fought victory.
“We have our own principles and playing concepts that I always want to polish,” Mngqithi stated. He emphasized focusing on their own game while preparing for the specific opponent. “How can we use our way to get over them?”
The coach drew parallels to his historic 2009 MTN8 win, a time when his squad also lacked experienced players. He recalled the widespread doubt they faced against a cup-strong Ajax Cape Town team.
“I told them: ‘I didn’t repeat matric and I didn’t need experience to pass matric, I did it once,’” Mngqithi shared. He believes in seizing the moment, regardless of experience levels. “In life, when you come across this moment, you must always want to conquer it even when you are not experienced.”
Awaiting Final Four Details
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) will confirm the specific details for both Carling Knockout semifinals at a later date. This official announcement will include the match dates, the exact venues, and the kick-off times. Fans of all four remaining teams now await this crucial information as the competition reaches its climax. The path to lifting the Carling Knockout trophy is becoming clearer for Pirates, Richards Bay, Arrows, and Gallants. ...Click to Read More >>➤
