The quarter-final round of the Telkom Knockout will head up this weekend's encounters on the local football scene. All eyes will be on the exciting fixtures that promise to give the supporters exactly what they are looking for.
Retired South African and former SuperSport United defender, Thabo September gave his predictions for the following matches. Do you agree with him?
Match of the Week
AmaZulu v Orlando Pirates (Telkom Knockout)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: AmaZulu 16th Orlando Pirates 2nd
Useful facts: This promises to be a scintillating game between two sides that play an enterprising brand of football. The last time the two sides met was as recently as October 6, with a 1-1 draw the eventual result. However, this being a cup fixture, there has to be a winner and Orlando Pirates' defensive abilities will be put to the test, with the likes of Emiliano Tade and Bonginkosi Ntuli showing good form. Bucs, on the other side, will be in a mean mood after dispatching their biggest nemesis Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby last Saturday. Having had a good run in the league up to this point, where they are sitting in the second position, they will want to replicate that form in the cup in order to get closer to winning their first piece of silverware under Milutin Sredojevic. AmaZulu, though, will provide a stern test.
Thabo September: Orlando Pirates win
Baroka FC v Mamelodi Sundowns (Telkom Knockout)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: Baroka FC 15th Mamelodi Sundowns 6th
Useful facts: Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the Telkom Knockout in 2015, will be out to get the better of Baroka FC, who easily beat Golden Arrows in the previous round. However, Bakgaga, who are known to give the so-called big guns a tough time in cup competitions, will not be lambs to the slaughter and will put up a fight, especially playing at home. However, since they are not doing well in the league, there might not be enough motivation on their side to go further in the Telkom Knockout, with the league their bread and butter. Downs have enough quality to progress to the next round.
Thabo September: Mamelodi Sundowns win
Maritzburg United v Bidvest Wits (Telkom Knockout)
Match 5 Soccer 6 Pool 3 November S6 V3 P1
League Rankings: Maritzburg United 14th Bidvest Wits 1st
Useful facts: Bidvest Wits, the in-form side in the Absa Premiership, have it all to do against a Maritzburg United side that is not easy to beat at home. The Team of Choice have, however, been a shadow of the team they were last season and lost their league encounter 1-0 against Polokwane City. With one eye on improving their last position and avoiding to slide even further down, perhaps it will be too much of an ask to expect Fadlu Davids' men to overcome a Bidvest Wits side that is brimming with quality and high on confidence.
Thabo September: Bidvest Wits win
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