The stage is set for the highly anticipated 2026 Carling Knockout Cup draw, taking place tonight, Wednesday, immediately following the decisive last-16 qualifier between Durban City and Stellenbosch FC at Chatsworth Stadium — kick-off 19:00. Seven teams have already booked their places in the next round, with the eighth and final spot to be claimed by either of those sides.

Confirmed through to the draw are AmaZulu, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United, Siwelele FC, and Golden Arrows. AmaZulu edged past Kruger United 1–0, while both Chiefs and Pirates recorded commanding 3–0 victories over TS Galaxy and Milford FC respectively. Sundowns secured a narrow but vital 1–0 win against Marumo Gallants, Sekhukhune United defeated Richards Bay FC 3–1, and Golden Arrows delivered the most emphatic statement of the round with a 4–0 rout of Chippa United.

Crucially, the Premier Soccer League has confirmed a seeded draw system, meaning the highest-ranked finishers from last season are kept apart. The seeded quartet — Pirates, Sundowns, Chiefs, and AmaZulu — will not face one another in the opening round, protecting the glamour ties for later in the tournament. The remaining four confirmed teams will go into the unseeded pot, setting up potential mismatches and banana-skin fixtures. All eyes will be on the draw tonight to see who lands whom — and which giants might stumble early on.

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/soccer/psl-south-africa/carling-knockout-cup-amazulu-chiefs-sundowns-pirates-seeded/