18 October 2018, by: Thabang Kgeledi

TELKOM KNOCKOUT – ROUND OF 16

Club football is back!

Thank Gosh. I’ll safely assume you are as excited as I am the international weekend is over. The Telkom Knockout takes centre stage this weekend let’s run through the upcoming Round of 16 fixtures.

Telkom knockout round of 16 fixtures, dates and times released pic.twitter.com/Phg0HrvY2e

— Soccerzela (@soccerzela) October 11, 2018

The Telkom Knockout will kick off with the defending champions Bidvest Wits taking on Free State Stars.

Round 1 of the #TKO2018 @FreeStateStars vs @BidvestWits #DefendingChamps #Nakanjani #GiveMore — Bidvest Wits (@BidvestWits) October 8, 2018

Stars have had a mediocre start to this season whilst Wits are top of the table with a game in hand. The result it leaning towards the latter but Sun Tzu says never underestimate your opponent because he might win a dubious penalty or you might score an own goal.

Baroka has been bad this season, matter of fact, they have been horrible this whole calendar year. They have managed to win 3 out of their 26 games played in 2018, the last of which coming before the 1% VAT hike.

Telkom Knockout Game alert#LennaKeMoroka#ThatiCoverBabes#GlobalOilQualityRefined pic.twitter.com/nq6ev9Lomn

— Baroka Football Club (@Baroka_FC) October 15, 2018

Golden Arrows haven’t had the best of season’s either but they should be heavily favoured.

After going four seasons without winning any silverware as the coach of the biggest club in the country, Celtic coach Steve Komphela feels he can prove a point by winning the Telkom Knockout.

When you realize the Brazilians are only back in action on Saturday! – ⚽️ Sundowns Vs Celtic ? 20 October 2018 ? Lucas Moripe Stadium ⏰ 18:00 ? Telkom Knockout Cup ?#Sundowns #DownsCeltic #DNAofChampions pic.twitter.com/TkYwDfaze6 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 15, 2018

Bloemfontein Celtics were runners-up in last season Telkom Knockout. But, we were taught by our preschool teachers that ‘second place is for the first loser’.

Sundowns haven’t been at their best and will have their hands full with a determined Celtic side.

Maritzburg United are having a tough 2018/2019 season. Last years fourth-placed finishers have won only one game in their first eight games in all competitions. Whilst the newcomers Highlands Park have proved that they belong in the country’s premier division.

Telkom Knockout Alert:

Confirmed Date And Venue!

? 20 October 2018
? @MaritzburgUtd vs @HighlandsP_FC
? Harry Gwala Stadium
? 20:15
? SABC #TKO2018 #AbsaPrem #SiyabangenaSiyabahlaba pic.twitter.com/115u1NDCiN

— Highlands Park FC (@HighlandsP_FC) October 11, 2018

On their day, Maritzburg United are a handful. They may be too much for Highlands Park to handle.

Orlando Pirates have the burden of being a team that much was expected of before the season began.

They haven’t delivered.

Yes, they are second on the PSL table but their performances have been below average.

☠ TKO 2018/19 Round of 16 ⚽️ @orlandopirates vs @ChippaUnitedFC ? 20 October 2018 ? Orlando Stadium ? 20:15 ? SuperSport 4 ? Tickets @TicketProSA ➡️ https://t.co/fcqJOLyEyq ⚫⚪?⭐#TKO2018#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/8jTrV3aQ8t — Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 17, 2018

After losing their first three games, firing their coach, and hiring Eric Tinkler, Chippa United have fared well. But, they are playing a team that has already beat them this season.

Having lost in the final of the MTN 8 a few weeks ago, Supersport United will be looking to right their wrongs. They come up against a Polokwane City side who are as predictable as their Twitter admin.

Telkom Knockout Week
Matsatsantsa hard at work at Megawatt Park on Wednesday:#ForeverUnited#RefuellingGreatness

— SuperSport United FC (@SuperSportFC) October 17, 2018

Perennial Macufe Cup winners Kaizer Chiefs are back competing for real silverware in the Telkom Knockout. Amakhosi are at home against Black Leopards.

Telkom Knockout Last 16: Kaizer Chiefs vs. Black Leopards, Sunday 21 October 2018, FNB Stadium, 15h30 #TKO2018 #HailTheChief #Amakhosi4Life — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) October 14, 2018

Kaizer Chiefs haven’t been good. The team’s form is sporadic. One bright spark has been Khama Billiat. There is no ‘I’ in team, however, like Michael Jordan said, there is in ‘win’.

In the last Round of 16 games in the Telkom Knockout, recently crowned MTN 8 champions Cape Town City play away at Amazulu.

The hard work continues! ?‍♂️

Our @TelkomKnockout fixture against @CapeTownCityFC takes place next Tuesday at the King Zwelithini Stadium.#TKO2018 #DurbanHasMore #UkhoziFM #Usuthu_Unite pic.twitter.com/qxk3TWece2

— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) October 17, 2018

Cape Town City has proved to be a good cup side even when their league form hasn’t been anything to write home about. However, Amazulu are well-coached and a tough team to play against at home.

BET: TELKOM KNOCKOUT