It was a weekend that most certainly favoured the underdogs in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals. Only four teams remain in the competition powered by the fans, with the semi-final draw mapping out the route to the final that will be hosted in Bloemfontein later this month.
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Sunday’s action had its fair share of drama as PSL newcomers Magesi FC pulled off a surprise 1-0 win over last season’s finalists TS Galaxy. The Limpopo side needed to rely on the reflexes of Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Elvis Chipeze, who pulled off a late match-winning save that saw Magesi reach the last four.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Marumo Gallants, ensured that a new name will be engraved onto the trophy with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stellenbosch FC who went all the way last season.
Gallants will feel they have an added incentive of making the final, with the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein being announced as the venue which could very well give them some sort of ‘home advantage’. Saturday saw Mamelodi Sundowns flexing their muscles, beating Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 at FNB Stadium. The Brazilians seemed to shrug off their recent shaky form while bursting the collective bubbles of the Khosi Nation which prompted an apology from Glamour Boys boss Nasreddine Nabi.
Masandawana’s result will feel like a warning shot to the other three semi-finalists.
The weekend’s first fixture may have seemed like an uneventful one on paper, based on the 0-0 scoreline after 90 minutes and extra time, as Richards Bay outlasted Cape TownCity in a penalty shootout to advance.
The Natal Rich Boyz needed to cautiously negotiate their way through extra time after picking up a red card towards the final whistle. The KZN side clearly fancied their chances from the penalty spot and prevailed as 5-4 winners at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
There’s no doubt that Sundowns are the favourites heading into the penultimate round of the Carling Knockout with the Brazilians dominating South African football for the best part of the last decade. Sundowns face a trip to Marumo Gallants in the semis, while Richards Bay are set to host Magesi.
Masandawana will certainly fancy their chances to add another domestic trophy to their cabinet but if the quarter-finals proved anything this weekend, you wouldn’t want to bet against the underdog.
The Brazilians are no strangers to being regarded as the favourites and dealing with the pressure that comes with that. They will however need to roll up their sleeves to earn their spot in the final on Saturday, 23rd November.
The PSL confirmed the dates and kick-off times for the last four, with Richards Bay battling Magesi at the King Zwelithini Stadium at 15:00 on Saturday, 9 November. Marumo Gallants will then host Sundowns 24 hours later at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
Carling Knockout Cup Semi-final draw:
- Richards Bay FC vs Magesi FC
- Marumo Gallants vs Mamelodi Sundowns
