Seven first round Telkom Knockout matches will be played this weekend following a two-week FIFA international break. ABSA premiership teams have used the break to work on areas that needed improvement.
Mamelodi Sundowns believe they have what it takes to break the steely defence of Bloemfontein Celtic whom they host on Saturday afternoon in Atteridgeville.
Orlando Pirates have done well in most of their league matches early on, only to surrender their lead late in their matches like they did in the 1-1 draw away to AmaZulu. The Buccaneers will look to do better against Chippa United throughout the entire match when they host them at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.
The Telkom Knockout competition gives both Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs an opportunity to end their trophy droughts.
“A lot was expected of Pirates by its fans this season after they finished second in the league last season. It seemed it was only a matter of time before the team end its four year trophy drought with the Serbian mentor, Milutin Sredojevic, and Rhulane Mokwena having built a competitive team.
But wholesale changes to the team this season and injuries to the likes of Luvuyo Memela seemed to have broken the rhythm and momentum the team had last season.
Pirates have surrendered their lead in most of their league matches with an own goal against Highlands Park seeing them share the spoils with the Lions of the North.
And this just a season after the team seemed well-drilled, playing attacking football for 90 matches. Pirates coach, Sredojevic, says its something they have been working on and hopefully against Chippa United they will be able to play well throughout the match.
“We have and believe it was not an fitness aspect but it was more an mental aspect to sustain once you are putting credit on your account in first half how to sustain until the end of the match. So this was a homework during this FIFA break we have done and football will tell us whether we’ve done enough starting with Saturday’s match.”
Sundowns were hard done by the referee decision against Celtic in their last league match, with their legitimate goal disallowed. But Celtic had kept them at bay for most of the match. Downs assistant coach, Manqoba Mngqithi, says although Celtic have done well in the league and are a good side, they will look to capitalise on their defensive frailties.
“Celtics has started the season very well and they are coached by one of the best coaches in the country and we’ve had a tough match against them in the league already. But the last two matches they played against Free State Stars and Chiefs in the Macufe Cup have shown that they are a team that we can break down.”
Chiefs have bought wisely during the transfer window, adding mostly offensive players to bolster their chances of ending a three year trophy drought. The Amakhosi will host Black Leopards at the FNB stadium on Sunday afternoon. Coach, Giovanni Solinas, says they will fight to win all the competitions starting with the Telkom Knockout.
“Kaizer Chiefs compete to win the silverware now we have Telkom Knockout, CAF confederation Cup in Africa and Nedbank. We fighting to win the trophy.”
Highlands Park have done well against the big three in the league sharing the spoils with Pirates in their first league match. The Lions of the North also drew their matches with both Chiefs and Sundowns. But the team has struggled against the so called small teams.
Coach Owen Da Gama hopes his players have learnt their lesson and will afford Marizburg United respect when they meet on Saturday evening at the Harry Gwala stadium.
“The players have learnt from that and there’s no ways we will undermine Maritzburg yes I think if we honest about it Mariztburg are also looking to turn the corner they are also looking to gain momentum so we are going to treat this game with the highest respect we can.”
In other Telkom knockout first round matches, Baroka F.C will host Golden Arrows at the Old Peter Mokaba stadium on Saturday afternoon while Bidvest Wits will be away to Free State Stars.
Polokwane City will host SuperSport United at the same venue.
