Carling Knockout first round comes close to scoring record

Two goals in Sunday’s last two Carling Knockout first round matches meant there would be no new record for the amount of goals scored in the first round of the competition.

But the 27 goals netted in the opening eight matches of the 2024 edition is the second-highest haul for the competition in the Premier Soccer League era.

After a goal-filled Saturday there was a good chance that the 2024 edition could set a new scoring standard, but the 27 goals netted in the eight first round matches fell four shy of the 29 goals scored in the opening round of the then Coca Cola Cup in 2004, which was won by Kaizer Chiefs.

This year’s competition started with a 2-1 extra-time win for Stellenbosch over AmaZulu in Durban on Friday and saw five goals scored by Mamelodi Sundowns, four by Kaizer Chiefs and a five-goal thriller at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday as the home side Orlando Pirates were upset by rookies Magesi.

But on Sunday TS Galaxy scored in extra time to edge Chippa United 1-0 at the Mbombela Stadium while a rain soaked King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi saw home side Richards Bay get the better of Sekhukhune United with a single goal from Lwandile Mabuya.

The 25-goal haul over the weekend bettered 24 first round goals scored in 2013, when Platinum Stars went on to win what was then known as the Telkom Knockout, and 23 scored in 2007, when Chiefs won the cup.

The overall record number of goals scored in a single edition of the competition came in 1997 with 90 in what was then called the Rothmans Cup, but in those days all the rounds were played over two legs.