Polokwane heat to aid Baroka

Telkom Knockout quarter-finals take centre stage in SA this weekend and proven giant-killers Baroka could give Mamelodi Sundowns a run for their money.

Conflict between the Premier Soccer League and several clubs over the scheduling of this weekend’s Telkom Knockout quarter-finals has meant almost a week’s delay since the draw and the finalising of the fixtures.

It reflects poorly on the league’s organisational ability, but will all be forgotten once the action gets underway with matches this Saturday and Sunday sure to capture the imagination of TAB soccer fans.

This year seeding was imposed on the draw to keep the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates apart, and thus ensure at least some of the better-supported clubs make it to the final in December.

It is good for the sponsors and the supporters, but legitimises manipulation of the draw and ultimately may ruin the credibility of the competition.

Nevertheless there is much for TAB soccer pools players to bet on. Baroka have proven giant-killers in the past and in hot conditions in Polokwane could rumble over Mamelodi Sundowns, who are unbeaten in league action this season but have already lost in the MTN8 to Cape Town City.

SuperSport United are up against Chiefs for a second successive tournament, having beaten them over two legs in the MTN8 semi-finals.

Chiefs come into this game on the back of a defeat in the Soweto derby and four matches without victory. They have a panicked look about them and it could be that SuperSport slap them down again, although Dean Furman’s injury-enforced absence is a big blow to Kaitano Tembo’s team.

Pirates are back down in Durban to face AmaZulu, who held them in league action earlier this season.

Usuthu are a mercurial team and much stronger at home than on the road, but with topsy-turvy performances.

Pirates have been a bit inconsistent themselves but now look to be polishing their act and will be heavily fancied to win as they bask in the glory of a convincing derby performance at Soccer City last Saturday.

Holders Wits continue their defence of their trophy at Maritzburg United, which is the other clash in the last eight. Here the practical approach of Gavin Hunt, with his “horses for courses” philosophy, should be too strong for an over-hyped Maritzburg team.