Hotto reaches another cup final 

Deon Hotto has reached yet another cup final in the 2025/26 season after Orlando Pirates defeated Richards Bay 1-0 in the Carling Cup semi-finals, thanks to a brilliant goal from Tshepang Moremi in the 42nd minute.

Hotto (35) will be looking to add another piece of silverware after lifting the MTN8 Cup in September under the new Moroccan coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, when they beat Stellenbosch 3-0 in the final.

Hotto has never won the Carling Black Label Cup, coming closest in 2017 when he finished as runner-up with Bloemfontein Celtic FC, losing 1-0 to Bidvest Wits FC.

After their season took an unexpected twist when they failed to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages, losing on penalties to Saint Eloi Lupopo despite reaching the semi-finals last campaign, the Sea Robbers have now shifted their hunger and focus to domestic competitions.

Having already won one trophy (MTN8 Cup) this season, reached another final, and still being firmly in the title race, the possibility of a treble for Hotto is very much in sight.

Orlando Pirates and Hotto will be aiming to break their 10-year drought in the Carling Black Label Cup, having last won it in the 2011/12 season under coach Julio Leal.

That remains their only Carling Cup title since the tournament’s inception 29 years ago.

In Botswana, after narrowly missing out on the league title to fellow Namibian Moses Shidolo, forward Isaskar Gurirab and his club Simba Bhora were held to a 1-1 draw by Betika Minerals as they continue their push for second position to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.

The result stretched their winless run to six matches and saw them slip to third place on the log.

Shidolo’s Scottland FC, fresh from being crowned champions in their previous match, took on Greenfuel FC, playing to a goalless draw against Greenfuel FC with the Namibian international starting the match.

Marcel Papama’s Township Rollers recorded a dominant 4-0 victory over fellow Namibian Roberto Rugam’s newly promoted Santa Green FC. Rollers moved up to sixth place on 18 points, while Santa Green remain 12th with 10 points, two points above the relegation zone.

Namibian midfielder Dynamo Fredericks started for Jwaneng Galaxy, who defeated Police XI 3-0 to climb to second place on 22 points and remain unbeaten after eight matches. At the top of the table, Ivan Kamberipa’s Gaborone United extended their winning streak to five matches with a 1-0 victory over Orapa United, maintaining their unbeaten run after nine games and staying first with 25 points.

Sisqo Haraseb’s Mochudi Centre Chiefs snatched a late winner in the 90th minute through former African Stars FC and Comorian striker Ibroihim Youssouf, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Black Lions FC.

The Namibian defender played the full match, and the victory keeps Centre Chiefs in fifth place on 19 points.

In South Africa, Bethuel Muzeu and Loydt Kazapua both started for their side, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Cape Town City FC. They now sit just above the relegation zone on goal difference as they continue to fight for safety.

In Asia, Petrus Shitembi’s Kuching City FC suffered a 1-2 defeat in the first away leg of the Malaysia FA Cup semi-final. They will host the return leg on 29 November as they look to overturn the deficit and reach the final.

In Georgia, Tjipe Karuuombe played the full match as his team Gonio FC’s survival hopes continue to fade after a 1-0 defeat to Meshakhte Tkibuli FC.

They now sit second from bottom, two points from safety after 32 league games.

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