WeeklySA_AdminCHALLENGE: Orlando Pirates face African Stars in a crucial Champions League qualifier in Botswana before turning their attention to their Carling Knockout title defence against ambitious newcomers Milford…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
Orlando Pirates will have home advantage when they launch their Carling Knockout title defence against Milford FC, but the competition’s newcomers will arrive with an opportunity to turn their tournament debut into a headline-grabbing upset.
Wednesday’s last-16 draw in Johannesburg kept Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns apart, setting up an opening round in which the country’s biggest clubs must negotiate contrasting challenges before contemplating a possible heavyweight showdown.
The competition is expected to begin on the weekend of October 24. Pirates have identified the Orlando Amstel Arena as the venue for their opening assignment, with individual match dates and kick-off times still awaiting confirmation from the PSL.
For the Buccaneers, the task is to retain the trophy they won by beating Marumo Gallants 1–0 in last year’s final. For Milford, the draw offers a chance to test themselves against the holders on a major domestic stage.
The KwaZulu-Natal side have already visited Pirates this season, losing 2–0 in their opening league encounter. Coach Xanti Pupuma, however, believes his team have developed since that introduction to top-flight football and expects a more competitive showing.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the draw, Pupuma said Milford had adjusted to the division and hoped to have more players available than in their previous meeting. “We have adjusted to the division, and I think we are in a better space than we were in the first game,” he said.
That confidence adds interest to a fixture in which Pirates will carry the expectations and Milford the incentive of claiming the champions’ scalp.
Big Three Avoid Each Other
Chiefs were drawn at home against TS Galaxy, while Sundowns will host last year’s runners-up, Gallants.
Although the draw spared the three giants an immediate meeting, their paths to the quarter-finals are far from guaranteed. Galaxy have the opportunity to derail Chiefs’ campaign at the first hurdle, while Gallants will seek another sustained cup run after reaching the previous final.
Elsewhere, inaugural champions Stellenbosch FC travel to Durban City. Kruger United host AmaZulu, Golden Arrows welcome Chippa United, Polokwane City face Siwelele and Sekhukhune United meet Richards Bay.
The fourth edition of the competition follows three tournaments that have produced different champions. Stellenbosch lifted the first trophy in 2023, before Magesi stunned Sundowns 2–1 in the 2024 final. Pirates then claimed the honours in 2025.
That recent history offers encouragement to clubs outside the traditional favourites: reputation alone has provided little protection in this competition.
The draw was seeded according to the previous Premiership season’s finishing positions, with the top eight clubs separated from the remaining eight for the opening round.
For Pirates, the immediate challenge is clear: make home advantage count and keep their defence alive. Milford, meanwhile, have every reason to regard the occasion as an opportunity rather than an ordeal.
Carling Knockout Last-16 Draw
• Kruger United v AmaZulu
• Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants
• Golden Arrows v Chippa United
• Durban City v Stellenbosch FC
• Orlando Pirates v Milford FC
• Polokwane City v Siwelele
• Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy
• Sekhukhune United v Richards Bay
Meanwhile, the famous Botswana National Stadium serves as the setting once more for a high-stakes continental clash when Orlando Pirates gear up for the opening leg of their CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round encounter with Namibian giants African Stars on Saturday.
The two legs against the reigning Namibian Premiership champions stand between the Soweto Giants and a return to the group stage of the continent’s premier club competition. All their attention will be on the opening leg where a good result could put them in the driving seat ahead of the decider in Soweto.
It’s a do-or-die tie for the two Southern African giants who are both eager to prevail and ensure an extended run in the prestigious competition.
The Challenge Ahead
The two-legged tie pits a side with the benefit of regular competition against one that could potentially benefit from the advantage of additional preparation time. Pirates are on one side of the coin, with their season in full swing after kicking their domestic season in August.
They kick off yet another tie on the road, returning to the familiar backdrop of the Botswana National Stadium – albeit against different opposition – as they prepare to face the Namibians.
Bucs vs African Stars
The match is scheduled for a 15:00 (SAST) kick-off and will be broadcast live on SABC 2. Live updates will be shared across Orlando Pirates social media platforms. – Fullview/Weekly SA Mirror
