The third edition of the Carling Knockout and the revamped Carling Black Label Cup will give Champion Fans more power to take control and influence the South African beautiful game that they love.
The game-changing Be The Coach campaign, which allowed Consumer Coaches a chance to manage Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the original Carling Black Label Cup, is back.
One lucky Champion Fan will get to lead the Carling All-Star Team in the Carling Black Label Cup at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 13 December.
The match will pit an All-Star Team made up of players from the other 15 Premier Division clubs, where six players in the starting XI come from the first teams and the other five from the Diski Challenge squads, against the Carling Knockout champions, who will be crowned on 6 December.
The opportunity given to the youngsters in the competition has launched exciting careers. Last season’s Carling All-Star Team featured Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aden McCarthy and Naledi Hlongwane, who went on to be promoted to their first teams.
Gomolemo Kekana and Asekho Tiwani went on to be part of the Under-20 national team that won the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Now, the pair is going to the Under-20 FIFA World Cup.
“For 13 years, Carling Black Label has led the way with a bold, fan-first approach. We began with the two Soweto giants, and today we’ve grown to include all 16 Premiership teams. We never rest,” said Kerryn Greanleaf, Carling Black Label’s Brand Director.
“The Carling All Stars are chosen entirely by our fans. Last year, some Diski players even outvoted senior professionals. Nearly 5 million votes in 2024 proved one thing: we are deeply connected to the voice of our Champion Fan.”
This year will be no different, with more budding stars being given a chance to mix with the game’s veterans.
This was confirmed at the launch of the 2025 Carling Knockout, which is proudly brought to Mzansi by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in partnership with South Africa’s Champion Beer, Carling Black Label.
“As a brand built around the Champion Fan, we’ve always found ways to amplify their voice,” said Greenleaf. “We did this before — and now we’re bringing it back, even bigger.
“Not only can fans vote to select the Carling All Stars, but this time they can step up as part of the technical team. The couch coach is elevated to the ultimate level: the Champion Fan coach.”
The Champion Beer introduced this concept for the first time in 2011 when it launched the innovative Carling Black Label Cup, where Champions Fans got the opportunity to not only select the starting XIs of Chiefs and Pirates but also lead them in the titanic showdown.
The initiative was well-received by Mzansi, with millions of Champions Fans wanting to be given a chance to lead their favourite team. Chief “Micho” Nkoko was among the lucky few who made it all the way to coaching the Buccaneers in the 2017 edition of the CarlingBlack Label Cup.
That opportunity inspired the then-Accounting teacher to pursue a coaching career. He realised that dream, and eventually led Sibanye Golden Stars from the amateur ranks to the 2024 edition of South Africa’s National Cup.
Nkoko’s story and those whose lives were changed by the Be The Coach campaign will be detailed in a documentary, The Champions Call, which will be aired in December. The documentary celebrates the legacy of the Carling Black Label Cup and how fans changed the game.
Champion Fans are automatically entered into the draw when they vote for their CarlingAll-Star Team’s starting XI. To vote, you simply have to purchase a promo 750ml or 500ml Carling Black Label, dial *120*660*UNIQUE CODE#, and follow the on-screen prompts.
The classics that made the Carling Knockout a success in the last two years are back, including the Fak’ iGoal Uzobona campaign. The initiative, which translates to “Score a Goal and See”, seeks to promote early goals by rewarding clubs and Champion Fans.
At the start of each Carling Knockout match, R90 000 is up for grabs. The figure reduced by R1 000 with each passing minute.
The Champion Fan who correctly predicts the minute and the club that will score the opening goal wins the remaining amount. The team that scored first also gets the same amount.
“Fak’ iGoal Uzobona is an exciting innovation — driving goals, igniting the game, and rewarding both the first scoring team and a Cha