It’s the 2025 Carling Knockout final between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, kicking off at 18:00.
It seems like coach the Buccaneers will play with a new attacking midfielder this evening, whether it will be Thalente Mbatha or Masindi Nemtajela will be determined during kick off.
STARTING LINE-UPS
Pirates: Chaine, Lebitso, Mbokazi, Seema, Ndaba, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nemtajela, Appollis, Mofokeng, Makgopa.
Substitutes: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Dansin, Selepe, Mbule, Moremi, Mbuthuma
Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Chabatsane, Nhlapho, Otladisa, Eroine, Mabuza, Ndlondlo, Ncube, Sithole, Bance.
Substitutes: Mlambo, James, Mabotja, Clifford, Luthuli, Mphambaniso, Msendami, Mhlongo, Motloung.
MORE DETAILS
Orlando Pirates will run out in their classic black strip after winning the kit toss, and the stage is set for another shot at silverware, their second in just five months.
The Buccaneers have already tasted cup glory this season, lifting the MTN8 with that confident 3-0 dismissal of Stellenbosch in September, only weeks after Abdeslam Ouaddou arrived from Gallants, where he notably saved them from relegation in just 12 matches.
The road to the final has been tight but controlled. A late rocket from Mbekezeli Mbokazi settled the game against Siwelele at Orlando Stadium, before a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Magesi secured a semifinal spot. At Moses Mabhida, Pirates edged Richards Bay 1-0 thanks to Tshepang Moremi’s decisive strike.
Gallants, meanwhile, claimed major scalps, dumping out Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch.
They’ll also step out of the dressing room with the recent memory of the 2-1 league win at Orlando Stadium earlier this campaign, where Patrick Maswanganyi scored first before Daniel Msendami and Jaisen Clifford turned it around.
Still, history favours the Soweto giants. Of the 11 meetings between the sides, Pirates have six wins, Gallants three, and two draws. Last season’s 8-1 hammering remains the Sea Robbers’ biggest victory in history.