Soweto derby sells out as Pirates and Chiefs discover Carling Knockout ties

Tickets for the Betway Premiership Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on October 31 sold out on Tuesday, the same day the two clubs learned their Carling Knockout first-round opponents.

Defending champions Orlando Pirates will begin their title defence at home against Milford FC in the last 16, while Kaizer Chiefs will also have home advantage when they face TS Galaxy.

The Carling Knockout draw took place at Langhams Lifestyle Estate in Fourways, Johannesburg, on Tuesday evening. It also produced a meeting between Mamelodi Sundowns and last season’s losing finalists, Marumo Gallants, with Sundowns hosting the tie.

Pirates confirmed at 6.30pm on their social media platforms that the derby had sold out, after tickets went on sale on Tuesday morning.

There were 63,680 tickets available to the general public for the match at FNB Stadium, which has a capacity of 94,000 and hosted the 2010 World Cup final.

The Carling Knockout first-round draw is:

– Kruger United v AmaZulu – Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants – Lamontville 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 FC – Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy