Overview
- The round of 16 opens Saturday with Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele at 15:00 at Orlando Stadium and Mamelodi Sundowns vs Marumo Gallants at 20:00 at Lucas Moripe Stadium, followed Sunday by Stellenbosch vs Kaizer Chiefs at Cape Town Stadium at 15:00.
- Fresh off the MTN8 title and a strong run across competitions, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club will field a strong team and push to advance after last season’s first-round exit to eventual champions Magesi.
- Siwelele travel with off-field turbulence but signs of improvement under Lehlohonolo Seema, having limited Pirates in a narrow 1-0 league loss last month and adding recent reinforcements.
- Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso emphasizes an obligation to win trophies and insists his side must be “different” from the recent 1-1 league draw with Gallants, targeting more control and aggression.
- The Carling Knockout is a single-elimination tournament for all 16 Premiership teams, with extra time and penalties used to decide draws since its 2023 return that has produced notable upsets.