Sundowns, Arrows eye semifinal spot in Carling Knockout

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandMiguel Cardoso, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts during the Carling Knockout Cup 2026/27 last 16 match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants Bay at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on the 27 October 2026 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Story audio is generated using AI

Mamelodi Sundowns will be eager to build on their winning momentum to reach the semifinal of the Carling Knockout when they host Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday (7pm), ahead of their CAF Super Cup showdown against USM Alger on Sunday.

They thumped Durban City 4-1 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday, but after exiting the Champions League preliminary stages, titles like the Carling Knockout and the Super Cup have become a priority for Masandawana.

Sundowns and Arrows will be facing each other for the fourth time this season, following previous clashes in the MTN8 semifinals. The Brazilians were beaten 1-0 in the MTN8 semifinal first leg but came back to win on away goals with a 3-2 second-leg victory, then beat Arrows 2-1 in a league match.

Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso said it is important for the team to beat Arrows on Tuesday to build momentum ahead of Sunday’s Super Cup.

“We have the Carling Knockout, and at the weekend we have the Super Cup. We had a big setback, as you know, in our season,” Cardoso said.

“It was an important moment that we should have accomplished, but we did not. We need to deal with that responsibility, and the only thing we can do is to be as strong as we can.

“That’s the only thing I can promise to Sundowns supporters — that we will push to fight for everything. We don’t promise anything but work, determination and a lot of commitment.”

Arrows will head into this fixture looking to pull off a major cup upset, despite a mixed run of recent form that included a defeat to AmaZulu at the weekend.

Abafana Bes’thende are entering a new chapter under returning coach Mandla Ncikazi. Though he suffered a tight 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu in his first match back, he will be desperate to avoid back-to-back defeats.

With little time, Ncikazi said it was difficult to fine-tune certain aspects of their game with matches coming thick and fast.

“We have a challenge right now — there’s not much time. We have another game on Tuesday. So, we want to train in certain aspects, but we are playing games. But that’s the responsibility of a coach,” Ncikazi said.

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