Telkom Knockout semi-finals: Fixtures 18-19 November 2017

After yet another disappointing international break which, this time, saw Bafana Bafana’s World Cup dream shattered to pieces, local football returns on Saturday with the Telkom Knockout at the semi-final stages.

The first and second round dished out a few upsets which see the likes of Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United all out of the competition, enjoying a break before league action resumes on Tuesday.

This means there are a couple of surprise names in the final four, as Polokwane City and Bloemfontein Celtic join Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs as the sides that will be in action on the weekend.

Saturday, 18 November

Bidvest Wits v Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Stadium – 15:30

League champions Wits host the country’s most decorated team in what is the pick of the semi-final fixtures.

It’s been a tough start to the league campaign for the home side as they have been rooted to the bottom half of the table. A cup triumph will no doubt go somewhere in restoring any lost confidence and might come in handy in aiding them as they look to get their title defence back on the road again.

Gavin Hunt’s men banged in four goals in the first round as they saw off Free State Stars 4-2, before a hard-fought 1-0 win over the inform Baroka FC.

They will not find it easy against a side that is historically known to come into their own in cup competitions.

Steve Komphela’s men breezed through their first challenge in the competition when they easily dispatched AmaZulu, winning 3-0 at the Moses Mabhida stadium. It was not as straightforward in their next fixture though, as they had to fight hard for a 1-0 win against a resurgent Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

Sunday, 19 November

Polokwane City v Bloemfontein Celtic, Old Peter Mokaba stadium – 15:30

Sunday sees Polokwane City play host to Bloemfontein Celtic at the Old Peter Mokaba stadium in what is the battle of the underdogs, as not many would have given both sides a shot at making it this far.

The hosts will have their cool heads to thank for making it this far as both their previous fixtures in the competition have been decided via a penalty shootout. They held their nerve against Ajax Cape Town in the first round to come out 4-3 winners in the shootout after a goalless draw.

Their quarterfinal against Orlando Pirates provided four goals as the two teams finished deadlocked at 2-2 after 120 minutes of football at Orlando Stadium. The shootout proved to be the home side’s downfall as Polokwane City triumphed 4-2 to advance to their first ever cup semi-final in the top flight.

Celtic also have the lottery of the shootout to thank for upsetting giants Supersport United in the round of 16, before seeing off Platinum Stars 2-1 to advance to the semis.

Live stream

Both games will be broadcast on Supersport 4 (SS4).