Ramahlwe Mphahlele Kaizer Chiefs

Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2018 Telkom Knockout quarterfinal match between Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on 04 November 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Telkom Knockout draw: Soweto giants to meet Cape sides in opening weekend

It’s Soweto versus the Cape in the opening weekend of the Telkom Knockout, with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates drawing two sides from the coast.

Ramahlwe Mphahlele Kaizer Chiefs

Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2018 Telkom Knockout quarterfinal match between Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban on 04 November 2018 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

The Telkom Knockout draw took place on Wednesday afternoon, with the two Soweto giants drawing opponents from the Western Cape.

The previous edition of the competition produced an unlikely winner in Baroka, who stunned overwhelming favourites, Orlando Pirates in the final held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

TKO draw: Mouth-watering fixtures in opening weekend

The opening fixtures are headlined by a clash between semifinals last time out, Kaizer Chiefs, who trek down to the coast for another encounter with 2016 champs, Cape Town City.

Amakhosi’s bitter foes, Orlando Pirates, on the other hand, have a date with top-flight newbies, Stellenbosch FC, who will travel to Orlando Stadium for their Telkom Knockout debut.

The Buccaneers will want to do one better than their last attempt at the crown, where they were beaten by Baroka in the final in Port Elizabeth.

Elsewhere, the defending champions kick off their title defence away from home, meeting 2014 winners and cup specialists Supersport United.

League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns – who last had their hands on the trophy in 2015 – will once again be on the hunt, and they begin their campaign at home to AmaZulu, while Bidvest Wits travel to Harry Gwala Stadium to take on Maritzburg United.

Elsewhere, the venue for the previous season’s final, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium gets a first-round fixture, with chippa United hosting Bloemfontein Celtic and, in Thembisa, Highlands Park take on Black Leopards at Makhulong Stadium. Another KwaZulu-Natala vs Limpopo fixture takes place in Durban, where Golden Arrows are home to Polokwane City.

The 2019 Telkom Knockout kicks off on Saturday, 19 October with the final last 16 fixture taking place the following Monday.

Telkom Knockout fixtures 

Highlands Park vs Black Leopards

Maritzburg United vs Bidvest Wits

Cape Town City vs Kaizer Chiefs

Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu

Supersport United vs Baroka

Orlando Pirates vs Stellenbosch FC 

Golden Arrows vs Polokwane City

Chippa United vs Bloemfontein Celtic

Past winners 

2006: Silver Stars 

2007: Kaizer Chiefs

2008: Ajax Cape Town

2009: Kaizer Chiefs

2010: Kaizer Chiefs

2011: Orlando Pirates

2012: Bloemfontein Celtic

2013: Platinum Stars

2014: Supersport United

2015: Mamelodi Sundowns

2016: Cape Town City

2017: Bidvest Wits

2018: Baroka

2019:?