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Kaizer Chiefs player Wandile Duba celebrates after scoring against TS Galaxy during the Carling Knockout round of 16 clash at FNB Stadium.
YESTERDAY, the DFA speculated. Today, the publication has egg on its face.
Ahead of the Carling Knockout games on Tuesday, we dared to suggest that the teams facing Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs could still pull a rabbit out of the hat and surprise the more fancied teams from the PSL, spring a surprise and eliminate the big boys.
But it was not to be. By the time the final whistle blew on Tuesday night, Milford FC, Marumo Gallants, and TS Galaxy had been eliminated without bothering the scorers.
Yes, the Carling Knockout was billed as a potential banana skin for the big guns, with underdogs hoping to upset the established order.
However, seven matches into the last 16, and the favourites have largely taken care of business — although not all in the same fashion.
Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns all advanced on Tuesday, joining four teams that had already booked their quarter-final places over the weekend. And while we’re keenly aware that there’s still one encounter to come when Durban City and Stellenbosch clash on Wednesday, we can look at what’s transpired thus far.
Here are seven things that stood out.
On Tuesday, the defending champions began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Milford FC, doing their damage before the interval. Thapelo Mokobodi opened the scoring, and Tshepang Moremi struck twice to put Pirates firmly in control.
Moremi was influential both as provider and finisher, while Pirates repeatedly found space behind Milford’s defensive line. The second half brought no further goals, but the first-half effort had already done the job.
Kaizer Chiefs’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy was Tuesday night’s standout individual performance. After a goalless first half, Wandile Duba struck three times in 18 minutes, scoring in the 48th, 62nd and 66th minutes.
His second goal came after Mfundo Vilakazi’s penalty was saved and Duba reacted quickest to the rebound. His third followed a through-ball from Mduduzi Shabalala. After a difficult run of results, Chiefs had a result to celebrate — and a striker who had seized his opportunity.
Mamelodi Sundowns were the least convincing winners on the scoreboard, edging Marumo Gallants 1-0 on Tuesday. Siyanda Ndlovu finished a move involving Thapelo Morena and Iqraam Rayners after 20 minutes, but Gallants remained in the contest.
Ricardo Goss made an important save from Samkele Sihlali shortly before the hour mark, and Sundowns held on. It was not a runaway win, but it was a test of their ability to protect a narrow lead after their recent CAF Champions League disappointment.
If any side made an early statement, it was Golden Arrows. Their 4-0 demolition of Chippa United was the most emphatic result of the opening weekend, with two goals in each half. Sede Dion and Sabelo Sithole struck before the break, while Nhlanhla Zwane and Jerome Karelse added to the damage after half-time.
Arrows did more than survive a knockout test: they made it look comfortable. Chippa, meanwhile, just never got going.
Another weekend clash saw Siwelele FC and Polokwane City play out 120 minutes without a breakthrough, leaving the contest to be settled from the penalty spot. Siwelele held their nerve to win the shootout 4-3.
It was a very different route to the last eight from Arrows’ emphatic win, but the reward was the same. In knockout football, surviving a tight contest can be just as important as dominating one.
AmaZulu’s 1-0 win over Kruger United was another reminder that cup ties are not always about spectacular scorelines. Hendrick Ekstein converted a penalty in the 78th minute to settle a hard-fought encounter.
Usuthu had to be patient away from home, but found the decisive moment late in the game and protected their advantage to reach the quarter-finals.
Sekhukhune United and Richards Bay went into half-time goalless, but the second half was a different story. Chibuike Ohizu, Thabang Makubo and Bethuel Muzeu scored for Babina Noko in a 3-1 victory, with Nqaba Xulu’s late goal only a consolation for Richards Bay.
The turnaround showed how quickly a tightly contested cup match can open up once one team finds its rhythm.
The bigger picture for now? The underdogs have made the favourites work for their places in some ties, but the seven winners have all found a way through.
The final last-16 fixture, between Durban City and Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday, will complete the quarter-final line-up.
And with the last quarter-final spot up for grabs, Durban City’s impressive start under Eric Tinkler faces a stern test against Gavin Hunt’s Stellenbosch, with the tactical battle between City’s attacking intent and Stellies’ defensive discipline adding intrigue to Wednesday’s clash.
For Pirates and Chiefs, Tuesday’s victories also provide a timely boost ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby. Their cup wins offer confidence, but the derby will be a different test altogether.
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