Hunt urges KZN sides to push for Carling Knockout semis as City face Richards Bay

Durban City coach Gavin Hunt says it is important for KwaZulu-Natal teams to reach the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup. City meets Richards Bay FC in a quarter-final at the Mhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay on Friday at 3pm.

City, Bay and Lamontville Golden Arrows — who face TS Galaxy on Saturday at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi — all have a chance to progress to the last four. If Arrows beat Galaxy, KwaZulu-Natal could have two semi-finalists.

“For now, I’m not going to talk about winning the trophy, but it’s important for teams from Durban to reach the semi-finals,” Hunt said.

“It’s going to be a big battle because we’re facing a team that, like us, is coming off a loss. They’re coming from a defeat, we’re coming from a defeat, so both sides will want to bounce back with a win.

“We have great respect for what they’ve achieved over the past two seasons (in the Carling Knockout),” Hunt added.

“Many coaches always say this is one of the cup competitions that gives you the best chance of reaching the final quickly because you only play a few matches before you’re there.

“But cup football is never easy to predict — surprises happen all the time. Without a doubt, this is a tournament we want to do well in.”

Aside from provincial pride, the Carling Knockout offers KZN clubs a chance to end a lengthy drought in the competition. AmaZulu FC remain the only KwaZulu-Natal side to have won the tournament, lifting the trophy in 1992 when it was still called the Coca-Cola Cup.

More recent county cup history shows mixed fortunes. In 2019, Maritzburg United (now Durban City) were beaten 2-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns in the final when the competition was the Telkom Knockout. In 2023, both AmaZulu and Richards Bay reached the semi-finals but failed to advance. 

Last yea,r Natal Rich Boys made the semis but lost to Magesi FC, who went on to beat Sundowns 2-1 in the final.

The Carling Knockout quarter-final fixtures:

Friday: Richards Bay FC vs Durban City — Mhlathuze Sports Complex, 3pm

Saturday: Lamontville Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy — King Zwelithini Stadium, 3pm

Tuesday: Orlando Pirates vs Magesi FC — Orlando Stadium, 7pm

Wednesday: Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch FC — Dr Molemela Stadium, 7pm