Duba Hat-Trick Sends Chiefs Through as Pirates and Sundowns Reach Carling Knockout Last Eight

Wandile Duba gave Kaizer Chiefs the finishing performance they needed on Tuesday, scoring an 18-minute hat-trick in a 3–0 victory over TS Galaxy at FNB Stadium. Orlando Pirates matched that score against Milford, while Mamelodi Sundowns squeezed past Marumo Gallants 1–0 to complete a successful Carling Knockout evening for the big three.

The rewards extend beyond quarterfinal places. Chiefs have an attacking lift after their African exit, Pirates’ title defence is moving again and Sundowns have avoided another cup disappointment. Seven clubs are through, with the final place and the draw to be settled on Wednesday, 28 October.

Duba Turns a Tight Cup Tie into a Chiefs Rout

Converting chances was central to our Carling Knockout preview, and Chiefs initially faced another frustrating evening. Duba tested Melusi Mathebula from distance, but the first half stayed goalless. Returning goalkeeper Brandon Petersen also had work to do, denying Thulani Zandamela before the interval.

Fernando Da Cruz retained his 4-3-3, with Petersen back in goal, Rushwin Dortley restored in central defence and Lebohang Maboe starting in midfield. Keeping Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and Pule Mmodi around Duba gave Chiefs several routes to their striker. The breakthrough showed the value of that support.

Shabalala and Mmodi combined on the right before Mmodi’s cutback found Duba for the 48th-minute opener. Chiefs’ account of Duba’s hat-trick records his second in the 62nd minute: Veluyeke Zulu fouled Shabalala, Mathebula pushed Vilakazi’s penalty onto the post and Duba reached the rebound.

Four minutes later, Shabalala’s through-ball released Duba beyond the defence for his third. His movement supplied the finishing touch to three different openings, rewarding both the delivery and his willingness to follow a shot in.

That offers Da Cruz something tangible before the derby. It doesn’t erase the CAF disappointment against Red Arrows, but the returning players and productive attacking combinations give him more to build on than a welcome scoreline alone.

Moremi Creates and Finishes as Pirates Cruise Through

Tshepang Moremi shaped Pirates’ victory well before half-time at Orlando Amstel Arena. After an untidy opening, his pass sent Thapelo Mokobodi through for the opener after 15 minutes. Moremi then got behind Milford’s defence and finished from a tight angle in the 34th.

Substitute Mpho Padime supplied another incisive pass before the interval, allowing Moremi to round Siphamandla Hleza and complete his brace. A 3–0 half-time lead gave the defending champions control that Chiefs only established after the break.

The recurring threat was the timing of the run beyond the defence. Moremi could release a teammate or attack the space himself, making him difficult to contain once Pirates found their passing rhythm. His two goals and assist were decisive contributions to all three strikes.

Pirates continued creating chances without adding a fourth. Abdeslam Ouaddou made four substitutions in the 64th minute, including withdrawing Moremi and Evidence Makgopa. Sipho Chaine’s goal remained intact for a third successive home clean sheet.

Coming after Champions League group-stage qualification, it was another productive home outing. The second half’s missed opportunities still leave room for sharper finishing when an opponent offers fewer openings.

Ndlovu Delivers but Sundowns Still Need Goss

Sundowns’ progress at Loftus Versfeld was considerably less comfortable. Siyanda Ndlovu scored in the 20th minute, finishing from a narrow angle after Thapelo Morena and Iqraam Rayners worked the opening. Rayners supplied the final pass.

Miguel Cardoso rotated extensively after the Wiliete elimination, giving starts to Ricardo Goss, Mothobi Mvala, Thabo Cele, Sphelele Mkhulise and Antonio van Wyk. Ndlovu made the clearest attacking claim for further involvement by settling the tie.

Possession did not translate into a comfortable margin. Goss was required to protect the lead, with the PSL’s match commentary recording saves from Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya before half-time and substitute Katlego Otladisa late on. Gallants retained a route back into the contest.

Cardoso introduced Aubrey Modiba and Marcelo Allende at the interval for Fawaaz Basadien and Cele. Calling on those established options underlined that this remained a live contest, despite Sundowns having scored early.

The win buys time and keeps another trophy available. Goss and Ndlovu made useful contributions, but a one-goal success that needed goalkeeping interventions offers limited evidence that Sundowns have solved the problems exposed in Africa.

Seven Through with the Quarterfinal Draw Still to Come

Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns join Golden Arrows, Siwelele, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United in the last eight. Durban City host Stellenbosch at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday at 19:00 SAST for the remaining place.

The PSL’s quarterfinal draw announcement confirms that the draw will take place on the field after that match. It will be seeded according to the previous season’s Premiership standings, with home and away allocation decided during the draw. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 6–8 November.

Before then, Chiefs and Pirates meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 31 October, at 15:30 SAST. Their identical cup victories add interest without settling the selection or betting arguments for that match.

The Betting Read

Duba’s finishing strengthens his case to lead Chiefs’ attack, while Moremi’s movement gives Pirates an in-form threat. Those are useful selection clues. Turning two 3–0 wins into an automatic over-2.5-goals bet would require a much bigger leap, especially if Saturday’s teams deny space more effectively.

Pirates’ run of home clean sheets deserves attention when assessing defensive consistency. The derby presents different opposition at FNB, however, so carry forward the organisation behind those results rather than treating the scores as a prediction. Our PSL betting guide explains how selection and opposition affect market choice.

For Sundowns’ next domestic assignment, the key question is which of Tuesday’s starters Cardoso retains. Ndlovu’s goal supports his case; the narrow margin gives us little reason to rush towards a heavy winning handicap.

Once the quarterfinal draw is complete, compare the venue, opponent and likely team before choosing between a 90-minute result and qualification. Our South African sports betting guide explains those market distinctions. Tuesday has supplied fresh evidence and some welcome confidence. Tonight supplies the opponents against whom the next cup judgement can properly begin.

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