Ziwa Mo title up for grabs

One coach looking to complete a full set of Premier Soccer League trophies will go up against another seeking to win one at the first attempt as Gavin Hunt’s Bidvest Wits take on Veselin Jelusic’s Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout final at Princess Magogo Stadium this evening.

Hunt has won four Absa Premiership titles, one MTN8 and two South African FA Cups, but has never won the Telkom Knockout, or any of it’s previous incarnations. The Clever Boys would ordinarily be heavy favourites to beat Phunya Sele Sele, but this is no ordinary season, with the defending league champions currently rock bottom of the Absa Premiership, though the insanely congested nature of this season means they are also only 10 points off the top.

Jelusic’s Celtic, meanwhile, are having a fine first campaign under the Serbian mentor, three points off league leaders Baroka and in with a chance of repeating Phunya Sele Sele’s achievement of 2012, when Clinton Larsen’s side stunned Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 to lift the Telkom Knockout.

Celtic did already beat Wits 1-0 in the league in October, with Roggert Nyundu grabbing the winner, though Hunt did rather shrug off that result in the build-up to this game.

“I thought there was nothing in that game, we were well on top and didn’t score, they had one break and scored at the other end. It was offside, but they scored and we lost 1-0,” said the Wits coach.

Hunt’s side also have most of their injury worries behind them as they head to the final, with Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi reunited in the centre of defence, Nazeer Allie back at right back, and midfielders Ben Motshwari and Daylon Claasen also available again. Gabadinho Mhango, meanwhile, could well return up front against Celtic, after missing the last six games through suspension.