Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final draw: Predicting the biggest games

The Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final draw takes place tonight (Wednesday, 28 October).

This will follow the last game of the Round of 16 between Durban City and Stellenbosch FC.

Here’s which match-ups we could see and how the Carling Knockout draw will happen.

How the Carling Knockout Cup QF draw works

According to the PSL website, the clubs that finished highest in last season’s league will be placed in a pot.

The remaining four clubs in the Carling Knockout Cup will be placed in another pot.

A third pot will be used for the drawing of the home and away teams.

This means that Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and AmaZulu cannot face each other in the quarter-finals.

Instead, they will face any of Sekhukhune United, Golden Arrows, and Siwelele FC.

The final unseeded team will be determined by the result of the Durban City/Stellenbosch game tonight.

The quarter-finals will be played on 6-8 November.

PREVIEWING POSSIBLE quarter-final CLASHES

AmaZulu vs Golden Arrows

Coach Arthur Zwane has been clear about winning silverware this season, as reported by IOL in July.

The KwaZulu-Natal derby is certain to test his domestic ambitions.

AmaZulu kept themselves alive in the Carling Knockout with a 1-0 win over Kruger United on 25 October.

Hendrick Ekstein scored a late goal, while Olwethu Mzimela made a crucial save in stoppage time.

Golden Arrows, meanwhile, crushed Chippa United 4-0 on 24 October to make a statement.

Junior Dion, Sabelo Sithole, Nhlanhla Zwane, and Jerome Karelse all found the back of the net.

Chiefs vs Golden Arrows

This potential match-up comes with a built-in revenge story.

Kaizer Chiefs were eliminated from the MTN8 by Golden Arrows in August.

Khulekani Shezi scored early in the second half to send the Amakhosi out in front of their home crowd.

In September, Golden Arrows then held Chiefs to a goalless draw at the Mbombela Stadium.

With the Glamour Boys now out of the CAF Confederation Cup, they are at risk of another trophyless season.

The Carling Knockout Cup could be their best chance to turn the campaign around.

Pirates vs Sekhukhune

Sekhukhune United have been prickly for Orlando Pirates in recent seasons.

Babina Noko defeated the Buccaneers in August 2025, and held them to a 0-0 draw in January 2026.

While Pirates have won their encounters since then, those two results show there is an edge in this possible match-up.

As defending champions, Pirates may find their path to the trophy must take some unusual twists.

They thrashed Milford 3-0 in the Round of 16, but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was upset at the chances they missed.

Sundowns/Chiefs vs Siwelele

While the result may seem obvious on paper, this could be the sleeper game of the round.

Sundowns and Chiefs have both defeated Siwelele in PSL action.

However, the Bloemfontein outfit underwent a summer clean-out and has since returned to winning ways.

They defeated Polokwane City on penalties in the last 16 after a goalless draw in regulation time.

Sundowns or Chiefs are expected to win, but this could be a true David versus Goliath clash.

WHICH CARLING KNOCKOUT CUP QUARTER-FINAL CLASH ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE?

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