Carling Knockout last 16 preview wrap - Holders Magesi begin title defence away to AmaZulu

AmaZulu v Magesi

Carling Knockout holders Magesi kick off the defence of their title in a last 16 clash away to AmaZulu on Sunday.

Magesi shocked Mamelodi Sundowns in last season's final to lift their first top-flight trophy in their first season in the Premiership, under former head coach Clinton Larsen.

With John Makuda  at the helm this season the club are struggling for form and come into this game in second last place on the Betway Premiership standings, with just one win in nine matches, most recently a 3-1 loss to Durban City.

Usuthu, meanwhile, are six points better off in ninth place, having recorded three wins from their opening eight fixures, alongside two losses and three draws, including a 1-1 stalemate with Kaizer Chiefs last time out.

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane must make do without suspended Siyanda Hlangabeza and injured players Ben Motshwari, Bongani Zungu and Elmo Kambindu for this tie.

Maduka said on SuperSport: "This is a cup game. It can give us confidence going into the league matches if we do well here. There are many games where we've been unlucky in the league, where we ended up losing them after showing good performances."

Orbit College v TS Galaxy

Newly-promoted Orbit College get their first taste of Carling Cup action at home to 2019 Nedbank Cup winners TS Galaxy.

Magesi proved it is possible to overturn the more established Premiership clubs in cup competitions, but 13th-placed Orbit will need a mammoth performance to knockout an ever improving Rockets side led by estute head coach Adnan Beganovic.

The Bosnian joined Galaxy as assitant to Sead Ramovic but established himself as a more than capable leader last season by leading his team to an impressive fifth-placed finish. This term, Beganovic's side are in seventh with 13 points from eight game, just two points adrift of Orlando Pirates in third place.

Orbit boss Pogiso Makhoye has managed just two wins from nine, and they last went down 3-0 to Golden Arrows.

Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United

Manqoba Mngqithi made his return to Arrows this season after a decade with Mamelodi Sundowns and previously guiding Abafana Bes'thende to victory in the 2009 MTN8.

In the league this season they occupy eighth place with 13 points, that include four wins one draw and four losses while Sekhukhune have been the league's surprise package this season with six wins to sit in second place on the standings, behind leaders Sundowns by just one point.

They last 1-0 to Polokwane City, however, as Arrows ovecame Sundowns 1-0.

Sekhukhune boss Eric Tinkler said on SABC Sport: "I feel that the depth that we have in the squad, Shaune Mogaila has come in, he's replaced, I think Vusi Mncube has really done well playing the 10 role. So, yeah I think we have the depth and we want to try and achieve things this season.

"One of those achievements is to try and win at least one of the cup competitions. So, we go into this game with that mindset and with that attitude to try and make sure that we get through to the next round."

Richards Bay v Chippa United

Richards Bay have struggled for results and consistency this season but still come into their last 16 clash five points better off than bottom-placed Chippa United in 10th place with 11 points.

Ronnie Gabriel's charges suffered a 4-1 defeat to Sundowns last time out as the Chilli Boys, now being led by Luc Eymael, held Stellenbosch for a 1-1 draw.

"We'll go and play in front of our home support and we like to win all our games at home. So automatically that should take us into the next round and then we'll see where it takes us from there," said Gabriel.

"But ideally, it'll be good to have a good cup run as well to boost the confidence in a squad, give other players a chance as well in these cup games to express themselves and show us what they are made of as well. A good cup run will always be good for the team."

All of the Carling Cup fixtures:

Saturday:

Orlando Pirates v Siwelele

Orbit College v TS Galaxy

Golden Arrows v Sekhukhune United

Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants

Sunday:

Stellenbosch v Kaizer Chiefs

Richards Bay v Chippa United

AmaZulu v Magesi