The round of 16 of the Telkom Knockout challenge gets underway this weekend as all the clubs in the league go head-to-head for a place in the next round of the competition.
This week retired South African footballer Leonard Qaba gets in on the upcoming matches and gives his predictions on who he thinks will move on into the next round of fixtures. Do you agree with Qaba?
Baroka FC v Golden Arrows (Telkom Knockout)
Match 2 Soccer 6 Pool 20 October S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Baroka FC 15th Golden Arrows 10th
Useful facts: The two teams known for playing an enterprising brand of football have not quite set the scene alight in the league this season, and what better way to remind South African football what they are all about than in a cup fixture where there has to be a winner at the end of it all! Wedson Nyirenda would welcome nothing less than a win, with talk that he could be headed for the exit door, while Abafana Bes'thende will want to upset the home crowd and progress to the next stage of the competition. Seeing these are two attacking sides, the team that defends better may well snatch it because chances will be created on both sides.
Leonard Qaba: Golden Arrows win
Free State Stars v Bidvest Wits (Telkom Knockout)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 20 October S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Free State Stars 9th Bidvest Wits 1st
Useful facts: For the umpteenth time, the two teams meet in a cup fixture, with Free State Stars having had the upper hand in recent times. The newly-assembled Bidvest Wits side has been making great progress, sitting atop the league standings after nine games, and a win at the first hurdle of this cup competition will be what the doctor ordered for Gavin Hunt's men. Expect Ea Lla Koto to be no lambs to slaughter at their happy hunting ground, the sometimes-bumpy Goble Park pitch where it is never comfortable for visiting sides. It seems that out of all the games in this round, this is one where home advantage will really play a huge role on the day.
Leonard Qaba: Bidvest Wits win
Maritzburg United v Highlands Park (Telkom Knockout)
Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool 20 October S6 V1 P1
League Rankings: Maritzburg United 13th Highlands Park 8th
Useful facts:Having tasted what it feels like to be in the final of a major cup competition when they lost to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup last season, Maritzburg United will definitely want a repeat of that scenario and to go one better, so they will be keen to overcome Highlands Park at all costs. But, despite their opponents being returnees to the league, the Lions of the North have been progressing better than the hosts so far this season and come into this game not under any sort of pressure. Fadlu Davids' side has been lacking the creativity that made them such an exciting team to watch last season, while the goals have also dried up, but success in this game, in front of their vociferous fans, will provide them with some hope going forward.
Leonard Qaba: Maritzburg United win
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