They don’t come more unique than the Carling Knockout. It’s a very innovative cup competition, serving as a replacement for the Telkom Knockout, giving the power to the fans by having them vote for the Man of the Match, who walks away with a whopping R100 000. The big guns have all fallen by the wayside, and a so-called smaller side will claim the honours come 16th December, with the final set for Moses Mabhida Stadium. Will it be an all-KZN final? Or will Stellenbosch FC reach their first final after coming so close in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 recently? Or will TS Galaxy match the heights of 2019, where they reached the Nedbank Cup final, famously defeating Kaizer Chiefs? All said and done, the semifinals of the so-called ‘beer cup’ is here, and it’s time to grab one for the road to the final as Soccer Laduma’s Tshepang Mailwane previews this weekend’s clashes.
Richards Bay FC v Stellenbosch FC
2 December, King Zwelithini Stadium, 15h00
Richards Bay host Stellenbosch FC in what will no doubt be an interesting game for two sides looking to hold onto respective records, as coaches Kaitano Tembo and Steve Barker face off. The home side has played all their Carling Knockout matches thus far at home, knocking out two Soweto clubs in Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates. They’ve got a home record to protect. Stellies, meanwhile, have played all their matches in this competition away from home, booting out Chippa United and Polokwane City. They are the joint top scorers in the competition with AmaZulu, so they will no doubt be looking to unsettle the home side’s defence having just thrashed rivals Cape Town Spurs 3-0 in the league.
