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The Telkom Knockout final between Bidvest Wits and Bloem Celtic takes place on Saturday the 2nd of December.
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Telkom Knockout Final | Saturday 2 December | Princess Magogo Stadium | 18:00
The highly-anticipated Telkom Knockout final kicks off at Princess Magogo Stadium this Saturday, with Bidvest Wits clashing against Bloemfontein Celtic in a nail-biting encounter. Both teams have shown uneven form in the league: Wits are struggling at the bottom after nine games, while Celtic sit comfortably mid-table. However, in a final of this stature, form often takes a backseat, and confidence can turn the tide. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:
Match Result (90 mins)
Bidvest Wits 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Bloem Celtic 21/10
Winner to Lift the Cup
Bidvest Wits 6/10 | Bloemfontein Celtic 13/10
Bidvest Wits Insights
Despite anchoring the PSL table with only nine points from 11 games, the Clever Boys have shown resilience in the Telkom Knockout. They scrapped through extra-time against Free State Stars and secured solid wins over Kaizer Chiefs and the in-form Baroka FC in regulation time. Manager Gavin Hunt will be thrilled as key midfielder Xola Mlambo returns from injury; his partnership with Thabang Monare was crucial last season’s league and cup double. Expect Mlambo to shine again and be a vital spark for Wits.
Watch out for their Egyptian marksman, Amr Gamal, who’s already netted three goals in this competition. His flair and intense play reminiscent of Luis Suarez could unsettle Celtic’s defenders if they aren’t careful. Goalkeeper Darren Keet has been a rock in recent matches, making crucial saves to keep Wits competitive, including holding Sundowns to a respectable 2-0 and a gritty 0-0 at Maritzburg United. The compact dimensions of Princess Magogo Stadium should favour Wits’ style, regularly played on a smaller pitch, backed by experienced campaigners eager to boost morale and claw back their season.
Bloemfontein Celtic Under the Microscope
Under the guidance of head coach Veselin Jelusic, PSL Coach of the Month for October, Celtic have made a determined march to the final. With a string of four consecutive wins followed by a strategic draw and defeat, it seems their focus has been the final prize. Their route was a tense one, featuring two nerve-wracking penalty shootouts against SuperSport United and Polokwane City, plus a come-from-behind triumph over Platinum Stars.
Celtic are hungry for silverware, their last trophy dating back to 2012, and will be motivated to upset a Wits side who sit eight places below them on the league table. Tshegofatso Mabaso, a key impact player, has been scoring vital goals, adding excitement to their campaign. Last season, Wits won both meetings, but Celtic avenged one loss earlier this season, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.
Final Word: Back Bidvest Wits to Take the Trophy (13/10)
Both sides have been inconsistent, but quality and experience lean towards Wits. Given their recent success and seasoned players who can keep their nerve in finals, Wits are the smart money to lift the cup and inspire a turnaround in their league campaign.
