TKO draw produces interesting matchups

Champions Bidvest Wits will begin their Telkom Knockout title defence away to Free State Stars following a draw of the last 16 draw conducted in Johannesburg on Monday.

Pitso Mosimane and Steve Komphela will renew their rivalry when Mamelodi Sundowns host Bloemfontein Celtic in another potential scintillating fixture.

Cape Town City, who captured the season’s first piece of silverware, have a tricky away match to a resurgent AmaZulu, who have proved difficult to face in their own backyard for Orlando Pirates and Sundowns in the league.

Kaizer Chiefs have been drawn against Black Leopards while Orlando Pirates were paired with Chippa United, who are coached by the former Bucs coach Eric Tinkler.

Top-eight losing finalist SuperSport United will look to correct their wrongs in this tournament and were drawn against Polokwane City who seem to have grasped their new coach’s philosophy at the right time.

Baroka FC, whose best showing has been a quarterfinal exit ,will be at home to Golden Arrows who are coached by Clinton Larson. He has won this tournament before with Celtic in 2012.

New boys Highlands Park will be away to Maritzburg United in what is yet another unpredictable match-up.

The tournament will kick off on the weekend of October 20-21 but the dates, venues as well as kickoff times of all the matches will be announced in due course.

FIXTURES

AmaZulu v Cape Town City

Mamelodi Sundowns v Bloemfontein Celtic

Polokwane City v SuperSport United

Free State Stars v Bidvest Wits

Orlando Pirates v Chippa United

Kaizer Chiefs v Black Leopards

Maritzburg United v Highlands Park

SUPPERSPORT