Carling Knockout Cup Final: Favourites to Win Between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants

• Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants have both secured a place in the final of the Carling Knockout Cup
• The two Premier Soccer League sides would lock horns in December to see the new team that would be crowned champions of the competition
• A football analyst during an exclusive interview with Briefly News named the favourite team to win the final

Orlando Pirates are set to lock horns with Marumo Gallants in the final of the Carling Knockout Cup after both teams got past Richards Bay and Golden Arrows in the semi-finals, respectively.

This season will produce a new champion after last season's winners, Magesi FC, were knocked out in the quarter-final stage. Magesi FC had defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the final last campaign, but both teams failed to reach the final this year.

Pirates have already secured the MTN8 title earlier this season and are now eyeing a domestic treble after missing out on CAF Champions League group stage qualification.

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Carling Knockout Cup final favourites

Football analyst Uche Anuma, speaking with Briefly News, named the favourite team to win the final and gave his predictions.

"It is visible to everyone that Orlando Pirates are the clear favourites to win the competition, bearing in mind that they've been solid in domestic competitions this season," he said.

"Pirates should take it for me, even if, several times when they looked like favourites on paper, they ended up not winning the trophy, like last season.

"No one believed Magesi FC could defeat a star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns in the final. I am not sure there will be a repeat of that this season."

Anuma also spoke earnestly about Orlando Pirates’ form this season and how failing to qualify for the CAF Champions League group phase could aid their dream of winning a domestic treble.

"Orlando Pirates have been the best side in the Premier Soccer League so far this season, despite their poor start and also being knocked out of the CAF Champions League," he added.

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"Pirates are showing a remarkable sign that they are ready to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as the champions in the South African league this season.

"Watch their tie against Sundowns and you'll see how the team have improved a lot. Kudos to Abdeslam Ouaddou. I criticised him earlier this season when the Bucs were struggling.

"Like I said during our previous chat, Pirates' ouster from the CAF Champions League could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Soweto giants."

Orlando Pirates will hope to make it two wins out of two in a domestic final this season as they will face Ouaddou's former club, Marumo Gallants, in the Carling Knockout Cup final at the Peter Mukawa Stadium in Polokwane, on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Pirates dominate Bafana's latest squad

Briefly News also reported that Orlando Pirates dominate the Bafana Bafana squad that will face Zambia in their next match during the international break.

Hugo Broos trimmed the preliminary squad from 43-man to a 23-man list, as they battle against the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions.

Source: Briefly News