By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 2025 Carling Knockout campaign is set to get underway next month, mapped out by a seeded draw that promises high-stakes drama.
According to the competition’s rules and regulations, the draw for the Round of 16 was seeded. The clubs that secured the top eight spots in the Betway Premiership last season were seeded, whereas the other teams were unseeded.
Last season’s edition saw a fairy tale story of newly promoted Magesi FC hammering Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium in a Last 16 match, before going all the way to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in the final.
This year’s Carling Knockout is set to kick off on 4 October with the Round of 16, while the quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of 25 October. The semis are scheduled for 8 November and the final is set for 6 December.
The winners of the Carling Knockout will then again face a team of PSL stars and DStv Diski Challenge players, voted for by the fans, in the Carling Black Label Cup on 13 December.
The champion of the Carling Knockout will earn R6.85 million, while the second place will receive R2.85 million.
Meanwhile, the semi-finalists will pocket R1.35 million, with the quarter-finalists earning R850,000, and the teams eliminated in the last 16 will receive just R550,000.
The PSL will announce the dates, venues and times in due course.
Full Round of 16 Draw
AmaZulu FC v Magesi FC
Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants
Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs
Orbit College FC v TS Galaxy
Durban City FC v Polokwane City FC
Richards Bay FC v Chippa United
Orlando Pirates v Siwelele FC
Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United.