Carling Knockout Cup: Orlando Pirates face Milford FC in last-16 draw

Orlando Pirates will begin their Carling Knockout title defence against Milford FC after the last-16 draw was made on Thursday evening.

The Round of 16 will be played from 24 October, with the reigning champions drawn against one of the unseeded teams from last season’s Betway Premiership.

The top eight sides from the previous campaign were seeded and paired at random with teams from the bottom half of the table.

Last season, Orlando Pirates beat Marumo Gallants 2-0 in the final before completing a domestic treble. They will now face Milford FC as they start their bid to retain the trophy.

The other fixtures include a meeting between Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants, while Kaizer Chiefs have been drawn against TS Galaxy.

The complete last-16 draw is:

– Kruger United v AmaZulu – Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants – Golden Arrows v Chippa United – Durban City v Stellenbosch FC – Orlando Pirates v Milford FC – Polokwane City v Siwelele FC – Sekhukhune United v Richards Bay – Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy

The Carling Knockout is being staged for the fourth year since the former Telkom Knockout competition was revived by Carling Black Label.

Stellenbosch FC won the 2023 edition, claiming the club’s first trophy. Magesi followed in 2024, securing their first official silverware after a surprise triumph.

The eventual winners will later meet a PSL All Star XI in the Carling Black Label Cup. That side will consist of PSL players and DStv Diski Challenge stars chosen through a fan vote.

The competition’s first round therefore features several meetings involving clubs with contrasting recent histories, including a rematch for Marumo Gallants against Mamelodi Sundowns and a challenging opening tie for the defending champions.