Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs Set for Blockbuster Carling Knockout Semi-final Showdown

ERNEST MABASA|November 9, 2026

Kaizer Chiefs beat Siwelele FC to reach Carling Knockout Cup semi-final. Photo: Kaizer Chiefs

The Carling Black Label Knockout Cup has served up a mouth-watering semi-final encounter, with Mamelodi Sundowns set to lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs in a highly anticipated battle for a place in the final.

The eagerly anticipated encounter will bring together one of the country’s most decorated football clubs, Sundowns, and its biggest club in terms of supporter following, Kaizer Chiefs, in a contest that promises to capture the imagination of football lovers across the country.

The encounter promises to be particularly interesting given Sundowns’ recent dominance over Amakhosi, although Chiefs have shown that they can rise to the occasion when the two sides meet in knockout competitions.

A look at their recent head-to-head record shows that Sundowns have generally enjoyed the upper hand, but the two most recent league meetings have ended in draws.

Their last encounter, played at FNB Stadium on 15 August 2026, ended in a 1-1 stalemate. The sides had also shared the points in May 2026 after playing to an identical 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld.

Before those encounters, the teams played to a goalless draw at FNB Stadium in August 2025.

Chiefs’ most notable recent victory over the Brazilians came in the Nedbank Cup semi-final in April 2025, when Amakhosi secured a 2-1 victory to book their place in the final.

However, Sundowns will draw confidence from their previous Carling Knockout Cup meeting, having demolished Chiefs 4-0 in the quarter-finals on 2 November 2024.

The Brazilians also registered a 1-0 league victory over Amakhosi in March 2025, while their 2-1 win at FNB Stadium in September 2024 further underlined their dominance during that period.

The upcoming semi-final therefore presents Chiefs with an opportunity to settle old scores, while Sundowns will be determined to maintain their impressive record against their Soweto rivals.

For both teams, the stakes are high, with a place in the final and an opportunity to lift another domestic trophy firmly in their sights.

In the other semi-final, defending champions Orlando Pirates will take on Stellenbosch FC in what promises to be another competitive encounter.

The Buccaneers will be eager to defend their Carling Knockout crown, but Stellenbosch will be determined to upset the Soweto giants and book their place in the final.

With four teams remaining, the competition has reached a decisive stage, with supporters anticipating two exciting encounters.

The Premier Soccer League is yet to confirm the dates, kick-off times and venues for the semi-final fixtures.