It’s cup final weekend in Mzansi as Orlando Pirates face Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday at 18:00.
The national broadcaster has confirmed the action will be delivered live on SABC 1.
CARLING KNOCKOUT FINAL IN POLOKWANE
The Buccaneers will don their traditional black kit after winning the draw to compete as the home team. The occasion offers Orlando Pirates an exciting opportunity to lift a second trophy in five months.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s are the holding MTN8 champions thanks to that swaggering 3-0 win over Stellenbosch FC in September. It was just two months after French-Moroccan joined from the very same Gallants, where he rescued them from relegation last season within 12 matches.
HOW ORLANDO PIRATES SAILED TO THE FINAL
Orlando Pirates marched into the final after a narrow 1-0 win over Richards Bay in a tense semifinal at Moses Mabhida Stadium, with Tshepang Moremi’s goal deciding the game.
The campaign started with Siwelele trip to the Orlando Stadium. In what was a tight affair, Mbekezeli Mbokazi hit that later screamer to send the Buccaneers through to the semis, where they dispatched Magesi 2-1 at the same venue.
MARUMO GALLANTS BEAT SUNDOWNS
Meanwhile, Gallants, who edged Golden Arrows 4-2 on penalties after 2-2 draw, will be competing in their second cup final in three years. They lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2022 Nedbank Cup, after a Peter Shalulile’s extra-time winner at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Their journey to this final included the big sculps of Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC.
Gallants have more reason to feel confident. The club known as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have met and beaten Orlando Pirates this season, a 2–1 win at Orlando Stadium on matchday two of the Betway Premiership.
That match saw Patrick Maswanganyi open the scoring before Gallants hit back with goals from Daniel Msendami and Jaisen Clifford.
History, however, leans heavily in Orlando Pirates’ favour. In 11 previous meetings, the Buccaneers have six wins, Gallants have three, while two games ended in draws. The standout result was last season’s unforgettable 8–1 hammering that remains the Sea Robbers’ biggest win ever.