15 October 2019, by: Leonard Solms

Telkom Knockout Preview and Predictions: Round of 16

Competitive club football returns on Friday, following the international break. Before they get back to Premiership action, South Africa’s top-flight clubs will face off in the Telkom Knockout.

Baroka clinched the crown last season with a shock penalty shootout win over Orlando Pirates. However, Bakgaga are tipped to face disappointment this time.

Meanwhile, three of the eight last 16 fixtures are predicted to go all the way to penalties.

Maritzburg United have regained their winning touch and will look to carry their good form into a clash with Bidvest Wits at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Eric Tinkler’s men have clinched back-to-back 1-0 home wins against Chippa United and Baroka. However, they face a tough test against one of the early frontrunners in the league title race.

Gavin Hunt’s Clever Boys are expected to outsmart the Team of Choice for their fourth win in a row, but not without a gruelling battle.

Cape Town City have been out of sorts lately, so a clash with a Kaizer Chiefs side that is very much on song comes at a difficult time. However, being on home soil is bound to make a difference for Benni McCarthy’s men.

In addition, Amakhosi have been busy over the international break. They were in action both in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup and the Macufe Cup.

City, meanwhile, have had more time to focus on preparing specifically for Chiefs. The Citizens are in fine attacking form but have struggled at the back in recent weeks. Now would be a perfect time to regain their best form and they often step up for big games — particularly on home soil.

McCarthy’s men are tough to beat in cup competitions and Chiefs have had some good fortune in recent fixtures, often benefiting from officiating errors.

In what would likely be the upset of the round, City’s luck is tipped to turn in a cracking contest.

Golden Arrows and Polokwane City are set to clash at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in a contest between two of the dark horses for this tournament.

Abafana Bes’thende have looked good this season under Steve Komphela, but have not always picked up results to show for it. Meanwhile, Rise and Shine have generally been impressive throughout this campaign, but have begun to struggle in recent weeks.

Polokwane City made the MTN8 semi-finals, where they were eliminated on penalties by Highlands Park. Golden Arrows, meanwhile, were Nedbank Cup semi-finalists last season — sensationally losing in extra time to TS Galaxy.

So, with both teams in the top half of the Premiership and with good cup runs behind them in recent times, this tie is tipped to go to the wire. Abafana Bes’thende have home advantage and are tipped to come out on top.

The Buccaneers and the new boys on the block are set for a league and cup double-header, starting with Saturday’s clash at Orlando Stadium. Pirates have been struggling for form and Stellenbosch picking up steam.

Orlando Pirates’ last two games have seen a total of 13 goals. Ezikamagebhula and Stellies have each scored 2+ goals in all of their last three matches.

Trends point to a high-scoring contest here. Stellenbosch have picked up four points in their last two games on the road and are not to be taken lightly, but Rhulani Mokwena’s men are tipped to edge this one.

MTN8 champions Matsatsantsa are South Africa’s ultimate cup specialists, but they face a potentially tricky first-round tie against the Telkom Knockout champions at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Kaitano Tembo’s men are in high spirits, however. Bradley Grobler is in lethal form and Thamsanqa Gabuza won the admiration of the nation when he soldiered on through the MTN8 final despite recently losing his son.

With plenty of young talent in the squad, SuperSport suddenly have far more depth than in recent times.

Baroka, meanwhile, are smarting after three defeats on the trot. Wedson Nyirenda’s men have the potential to spring a surprise, but on away soil, this is one of the toughest assignments they could have been given at present.

Highlands Park may have lost the MTN8 final, but they are still a team in tremendous form and will be hungry to get back to winning ways at Makhulong Stadium.

Black Leopards look more comfortable under Luc Eymael than they did under his predecessor, Lionel Soccoia. Much of that may have to do with Mwape Musonda having hit his stride once more.

This is a tough game to call, but Owen da Gama’s men seem to have something special about them this season, so they are tipped to win on home soil.

Masandawana’s recent form has been hit and miss, but they have done well this season considering their trying schedule. The Brazilians have enough quality to survive a tricky test at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Pitso Mosimane fielded a second-string lineup for the Shell Helix Ultra Cup. It will be interesting to see how many players keep their place for this clash, as Sundowns have a league encounter with Highlands Park on the horizon.

AmaZulu, meanwhile, went through a difficult patch but have an all-important first win behind them after beating Cape Town City. This game will tell us a lot about whether or not they are truly out of the woods.

Chippa’s season has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks. Both Clinton Larsen and Duran Francis have been relieved of coaching duties within the last month at the time of writing.

Norman Mapeza has stepped into the hot seat, but it won’t be easy to revive this campaign. One has the feeling that this time, Chippa’s luck is on the verge of running out.

Bloem Celtic have been hit and miss this season, but they have more than enough quality to capitalise on the Chilli Boys’ woes. An away win is tipped at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

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