Telkom Knockout 2019 Semi Final Draw
The Telkom Knockout 2019 semi-final draw was conducted minutes after the final match of the last eight rounds of the competition was finished. The pick of the quarterfinal round was the clash between Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on Saturday afternoon. Mamelodi Sundowns joined their bitter rivals into the last four by beating Chippa United in the penalty shootout.
Chiefs and Sundowns avoided each other in the TKO draw. After some exchange of words between the two teams following their league match last month, it was for the best. Amakhosi will host Maritzburg United in the first game of the semis while the Brazilians will travel to Kwa-Zulu Natal to face Golden Arrows. Should both clubs overcome their battles with the coastal clubs, it will set up a mouth-watering rematch in the Telkom Knockout final.
Telkom Knockout 2019 Results
The TKO quarterfinal rounds of the competition began with a tie between Erik Tinkler’s Maritzburg United versus high-flying Highlands Park. Tinkler’s men have been on a string of positive results of late but their form was tested against The Lions of the North. The game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with United showing nerves of steel in the shootout to win 4-3 on penalties.
Drama ensued at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the first Soweto Derby in a matter of a week. Chiefs took the derby game to Durban where they have an overwhelming number of fans and it paid dividends. The packed stadium witnessed the teams fight pound-for-pound, with the Bucs drawing first blood through a Fortune Makaringe strike. Leonardo Castro equalized to send the game into extra time. Both teams scored a goal apiece to send the game to penalties. It would be Amakhosi who emerged victorious, scoring 4 penalties to Pirates’ 2.
The only game that didn’t end in a stalemate after regular time was Golden Arrows versus Super Sports United. The man from Tshwane were looking to win their second trophy on the trot when they visited the coastal region. They fell to a solitary goal from Lindokuhle Mtshali in the first half. The resolute defensive performance from the men from KZN ensured that they win against fancied United.
Sunday’s match between Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns was the final match of the round and it was a blockbuster of a tie. It looked as though Sundowns were going to suffer a second consecutive loss in a week, but the Tshwane side showed their mantle. This was the third quarterfinal match that went to penalties after a 2-2 draw. Onyango saved the first penalty, with Downs scoring all their 4 in a row.
The Telkom Knockout 2019 fixtures will take place on the 22nd and 23rd of November. It will be the weekend after the international break. Keep updated with the latest in South African sports news on RSABet.co.za.