Carling semi-final draw poses an enticing prospect of a captivating KZN double-header

This season, a new Carling Knockout champion will be crowned after Orlando Pirates knocked out the defending champions Magesi FC in an earlier round. Pirates are the most-fancied team in the final four. The PSL are faced with the enticing prospect of a captivating double-header in KwaZulu-Natal, now that Richards Bay and Golden Arrows have drawn home encounters for the upcoming Carling Knockout semi-finals. With so much at stake, anticipation in the region is expected to reach fever pitch, as the PSL delivers a footballing feast fans will remember for years to come. The semi-final draw followed Marumo Gallants' impressive 4-0 win over Stellenbosch in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, marking the end of the quarter-finals. Golden Arrows will host Marumo Gallants, while Richards Bay will welcome Orlando Pirates. Arrows and Gallants are set to meet in the Betway Premiership in Umlazi on Saturday -- a dress rehearsal for the cup tie a week later. Richards Bay will compete in their third successive Carling Knockout semi-final. Both previous semi-finals were played at home, where they lost to Stellenbosch (0-3) in 2023 and Magesi (0-1) in 2004. Pirates have lifted the trophy previously, but none of the other semi-finalists have had success in the League Cup. Pirates will once again travel to KZN, facing Richards Bay in a fixture that promises to invoke memories both bitter and sweet. In the previous tournament, Pirates were knocked out by Richards Bay in the quarter-finals after a goalless draw led to a nail-biting penalty shootout. This historical context adds layers of intrigue, as Pirates now seek redemption in a highly charged atmosphere. After a hard-fought 2-1 victory over defending champions Magesi at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday, Pirates have shown the staying power needed to reach the semi-finals. Richards Bay, meanwhile, displayed their own credentials with a decisive 3-1 win over Durban City in their quarter-final clash. Determined to claim their maiden major silverware after previous semi-final disappointments, they will be a formidable opponent at home. The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of November 8-9, with the PSL to announce exact dates and venues shortly.