IT USUALLY happens that when a football tournament is in progress and a fixture or round of action features a big-name team taking on a (forgive the expression) less glamorous outfit, that the spotlight, and the angle of writing focuses on the big teams.

The other teams can sometimes feel like an unwanted stray. But that can also turn an underdog into a top dog, seeing as these lower-ranked teams realise that – especially in a cup competition – they get this one shot at making history.

Now, the Carling Knockout last 16 serves up three intriguing tests on Tuesday night, with Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns all needing to negotiate tricky opponents to keep their trophy ambitions alive.

And these tricky opponents are exactly the teams to which we were referring.

While the three heavyweight clubs will start as favourites on paper, their respective match-ups offer reasons for caution. The knockout format leaves no room for a slow start, and two of tonight’s ties carry reminders of what can happen when the bigger names fail to deliver.

The clubs have already met in the Betway Premiership this season, when Pirates claimed a 2-0 home victory in August through goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi. That result gives the Buccaneers a recent reference point, but the cup presents a different challenge: Milford need only produce one strong performance to send the holders out.

Pirates must also manage their squad carefully during a demanding week that culminates in Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Chiefs. Progress is the immediate priority, however, with a quarter-final place at stake.

Sundowns have an opportunity to settle that score, having beaten Gallants 2-0 in the league earlier this season. Yet the previous cup meeting demonstrated that possession and reputation alone do not guarantee progress. 

Gallants will again look to make life difficult for their hosts, who are seeking a response after their continental disappointment.

Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz has urged his players to focus on the task immediately in front of them rather than allow pressure to build.

Da Cruz has made it clear that the team must make sure that they qualify for the next round of the Carling Cup. No ifs, ands, or buts!.

Galaxy will arrive knowing their cup history against Chiefs gives them reason to believe, although past results do not determine Tuesday’s outcome. For Amakhosi, a win would provide a welcome boost before Saturday’s derby against Pirates.

All three matches kick off at 7pm, with Pirates hosting Milford, Sundowns entertaining Gallants and Chiefs taking on Galaxy. By the end of the evening, three clubs will have booked their places in the quarter-finals — and three others will see their Carling Knockout campaigns end.