The weekend saw the return of a fourth competition to South African football as the Carling Knockout Cup returned after a four-year hiatus with all sixteen DStv Premiership clubs involved. For some the competition is an opportunity to gain glory and prize money but to one club it appeared to be a bit of a nuisance.
South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, participants in the inaugural African Football League over the weekend, had their first round match moved ahead to Wednesday but it did not help Masandawana. TS Galaxy defeated Sundowns 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. Marcelo Allende and Gastón Sirino scored in the second half to lead a comeback effort for the champions but Lesiba Nku’s miss from the spot clinched victory for Galaxy.
Kaizer Chiefs also fell victim to defeat over the weekend with a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu following a late winner from Taariq Fielies. SuperSport United were another top club who were unceremoniously dumped out with a decisive 4-1 defeat to top division newcomers Polokwane City.
Orlando Pirates will be in the quarterfinals after navigating their first round match successfully. A Tapelo Xoki penalty kick in the second half was soon followed by a Kermit Erasmus goal in the Bucs’ 2-0 victory over hapless Cape Town Spurs who have lost every match so far in the 2023-24 season since earning promotion from the second tier Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The full list of results from the first round are below followed by highlights from the matches involving Sundowns, the Soweto giants and SuperSport United.
Scores
First Round
TS Galaxy 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
TS Galaxy wins 5-4 in penalty kick shootout
Orlando Pirates 2-0 Cape Town Spurs
Chippa United 1-2 Stellenbosch
Golden Arrows 3-1 Cape Town City
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 AmaZulu
Sekhukhune United 1-0 Royal AM
Richards Bay 2-1 Swallows FC
SuperSport United 1-4 Polokwane City
Highlights
TS Galaxy 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns (Highlights)
TS Galaxy 2-2 Mamelodi Sundowns (Penalty Kicks)
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 AmaZulu
Orlando Pirates 2-0 Cape Town Spurs
SuperSport United 1-4 Polokwane City
