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Tshwane derby is pick of Telkom Knockout draw

FORMER DOWNS MAN: Platinum Stars skipper Vuyo Mere Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
FORMER DOWNS MAN: Platinum Stars skipper Vuyo Mere Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

IN UNDER two weeks' time, the Telkom Knockout returns with defending champions Platinum Stars facing Chippa United, the very side that handed them their first defeat of the season in early August.

The pick of the draw last night was certainly the Tshwane derby between league champs Mamelodi Sundowns and cross-town rivals the University of Pretoria.

The matches are scheduled for the weekend of October 3, with favourites Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Sundowns and even Bidvest Wits all drawn to play at home.

Last night the Top 8 teams from the previous season were seeded and able to avoid each other. "We might be feeling the pressure a little bit because this is our cup and we are determined to defend it," said Platinum Stars captain Vuyo Mere after the draw.

"We won't look to our opening game against Chippa because the situation is a bit different now. We have not been playing well and we realised the need to start doing well. Maybe this is our opportunity after we missed out on defending our MTN8 trophy."

Dikwena aren't the only side under immense pressure to deliver silverware in this campaign. Gavin Hunt's Wits were humiliated over two legs by Pirates in the MTN8 semifinal at home and away. Although Hunt maintains that his is a "league team", a cup win would not hurt.

For Pirates, it's a chance to right the wrongs after losing out to bitter rivals Chiefs in the MTN8 final on Saturday night in Durban. Will they reach a sixth successive final in such a short space of time? They have the squad to do so.

But there will be shocks too, like the previous season when no one expected Dikwena to go on a giant killing spree - beating Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates to win the trophy.

Full draw (home team first):

Wits v Swallows; SuperSport v FS Stars; Ajax v Black Aces; Platinum Stars v Chippa; Sundowns v AmaTuks; Chiefs v Maritzburg; Pirates v Polokwane City; AmaZulu v Celtic.

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