It’s all set for an exciting closing day in the 2025 Pirates Cup with the knockout fixtures decided in both the Men’s and Women’s categories. The competition is set to reach its climax on Monday following three days of high-quality football action at Marks Park and Sturrock Park.
It’s now crunch time for the 20 remaining teams with the 16 Men’s Under-21 sides set to kick off their knockout campaign in the Round of 16 while the four Women’s teams battle it out in the semifinals. All knockout fixtures were confirmed in a draw that followed Sunday’s action, where the last qualifying spots were decided.
Scottland FC, Emalahleni United, Midlands Academy, and Umsinga United all gained automatic qualification to the last 16 on Day Three after finishing top of their respective groups. They joined the likes of Orlando Pirates, Wits and 2022 champions Ambassadors who all booked their spots earlier in the tournament. Mphehli All Stars and NWU Soccer Institute were the top second-placed teams, rounding up the final two spots.
The draw served up some interesting match-ups, with defending champions University of Johannesburg set to take on last year’s quarterfinalists Mswenko Family, while hosts Orlando Pirates were paired up against Emalahleni United, who bowed out of the 2024 edition in the last four.
Also returning to the knockouts after a deep run in 2024 is the free-scoring Midlands Academy who emerged one of the standout teams from Sunday, netting a tournament high of 12 goals in three matches to register a 100% win record in Group M. They have a date with Group A runners-up NWU, while Lerumo Lions and Meadowlands Football Academy is another fixture that promises fireworks after both sides produced impressive displays en route to the next round.
The Round of 16 fixtures get underway at 8:00 at Marks Park, with four games running simultaneously before the other four get underway at 9:15. Quarterfinals are scheduled for 11:50 with semifinals in both categories kicking off at 14:00.
The curtain is set to close with the two finals taking centre stage at 16:00, followed by the trophy presentation and prize giving.
For the full tournament schedule, visit: https://www.tournifyapp.com/live/piratescup2025
Pirates Cup 2025 Knockout Fixtures
Women’s Semifinals
- Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs Wits University Ladies
- JVW vs University of Johannesburg Ladies
Men’s Round of 16
- University of Pretoria vs Viasport
- Wits University vs Mphehli All Stars
- Lerumo Lions vs Meadowlands Football Academy
- Msinga United vs Ambassadors
- Emalahleni United vs Orlando Pirates
- Midlands Academy vs NWU Soccer Institute
- University of Johannesburg vs Mswenko Family
- Hammer Boys vs Scottland FC
