This is an important week on the domestic football calendar, with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs to play the first instalment of the Soweto Derby of the season at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

But before the two giants of South African football can focus on the most popular Betway Premiership match in the country, they will play their first round of Carling Knockout Cup matches on Tuesday.

Pirates will host newcomers, Milford F.C at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto, while Chiefs will welcome T.S Galaxy at the FNB Stadium.

Mamelodi Sundowns will want to bounce back when they host Marumo Gallants at the Loftus Versfeld, after they were knocked out of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League on Friday.

Defending champions, Sundowns, were unexpectedly eliminated from the CAF Champions League by little-known Angolan side, Williete, on Friday.

The Angolans advanced on the away goals rule, with Sundowns being booted out in the preliminary round of the tournament they won last season.

The Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 match against Gallants gives Sundowns an opportunity to bounce back and bring back the smiles on their fans’ faces.

Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, says they want to win the competition, but is wary of the unpredictability of extra time and penalty shoot-outs.

“We would like to win the tournament and playing home gives us some comfort cause we travel so much but we also know Marumo last year they beat us in the penalties and now we have to try and win the game in regulation time.”

Chiefs are also licking their wounds after they were knocked out of the Confederation Cup by Zambia’s Red Arrows on Friday.

🗣️ “𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀”

Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz after their exit from the CAF Confederation Cup.

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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 25, 2026

Amakhosi will also be looking to bounce back when they host T.S Galaxy at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Chiefs coach, Fernando Da Cruz, welcomes the opportunity to right the wrongs.

“For sure, on Tuesday we have a Carling Cup match against TS Galaxy. We’ll leave for Johannesburg well prepared so that we can win on Tuesday and qualify for the next round of the competition.”

T.S Galaxy have been struggling in the Betway Premiership and have only won one of their eight league matches.

Interim coach, Esau Mtsweni, says a win against Chiefs will boost their confidence ahead of their Premiership match against Polokwane City on Saturday.

“It’s a very tough one playing against Chiefs away from home, but we haven’t been doing well in the league; this game can be a confidence booster going into the next league match.”

Orlando Pirates will start the defence of their title on Tuesday with a match against Milford F.C at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Pirates beat Namibia’s African Stars on Friday to secure their place in the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says that as much as they want to defend their title, there’s no pressure on his players.

“Of course we are the defending champions, but we are going to start that game to win. There’s no pressure but we just want to defend our title we would like to go to the next stage.”

Stellenbosch F.C will travel to Durban to play Durban City on Wednesday in the last of the four Carling knockout Cup matches this week.

Stellies coach, Gavin Hunt, says they know Durban City well and are also familiar with the venue of their match as they have played some of their home matches in the City.

The last two matches between the two sides were goalless draws, and Hunt expects a tough game from City.

“Cup draws are very important for us; it’s an away game, and Durban is our home away from home for us. I know the stadium very well, and I know the team very well, so I am sure it’s gonna be a tough game, so I am looking forward to it.”

All four Carling knockout Cup matches will kick off at  7:00 PM.

🔥 THE SOWETO DERBY IS COMING! ⚽🏆

Orlando Pirates ☠️🆚 Kaizer Chiefs ✌️

📅 Saturday, 31 October
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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) October 25, 2026