Mamelodi Sundowns is set to begin their 2026/27 Carling Knockout Cup journey on Tuesday night when they host Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld. They step into this Cup competition with one objective, which is to win the trophy and bring it home.

The Round of 16 presents them with a tough opponent that is Marumo Gallants. In the previous campaign, Gallants were the side to hand Masandawana an exit in the competition. A goalless draw led to penalties in Pretoria but Gallants won and knocked Masandawana out in the first round. 

The Gallants Bafana Ba Style will face in the midweek encounter, has not been on a good run of form, especially in the league. While the results haven’t been positive for Gallants, Downs expect a tough match. Furthermore, coach Miguel Cardoso has asserted that his side will lean heavily on the squad of players he believes can get the job done. 

“We know Marumo Gallants by the history and last year’s competition. This is a prestigious tournament that every team would want to win. Of course, we would like to win the tournament, and we will do it. We will find the players to get the job done, a good and strong squad. The ones that will put the shirt on will have to bear the badge of Mamelodi Sundowns and give their best on the day.”

The domestic double cup ambitions are alive and the Brazilians will hope to first conquer the hurdle that is Marumo Gallants, to move on to the quarterfinals and hopefully, win it for the first time since 2019/20 campaign. 

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup Round of 16 match on Tuesday at Loftus Versfeld. Kick-off has been set for 19H00, live on SuperSport TV.