Bidvest Wits vs Bloemfontein Celtic – our predictions
It’s the 2017 Telkom Knockout final this weekend, with Bidvest Wits taking on Bloemfontein Celtic at Princess Magogo Stadium this evening.
Reeve Frosler of Bidvest Wits and Roggert Nyundu of Celtics during the Absa Premiership match between Bloemfontein Celtic and Bidvest Wits at Dr Molemela Stadium on October 01, 2017 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images)
Phakaaathi’s Jonty Mark and Khaya Ndubane give their views on who will win this one, and why.
Why Cape Town Wits will win (Jonty Mark, Phakaaathi Editor)
The fall of Bidvest Wits this season, from champions to bottom of the Absa Premiership, really is quite extraordinary. The Clever Boys badly need to recover some form in the league, or the reality is that their 2016/17 battle for the title could well be transformed into a 2017/18 fight against relegation. No side, goes the cliché is too good to go down. The Clever Boys have found some salvation in the Telkom Knockout, however, with hard-fought wins over Free State Stars, Baroka FC and Kaizer Chiefs taking them into Saturday’s final against Bloemfontein Celtic. Gavin Hunt’s side also have most of their players back now from injury, with a the back four of Nazeer Allie, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Buhle Mkhwanazi and Sifiso Hlanti, so impressive last season, finally reunited. Wits should also have a mental edge against Celtic, even with their league troubles, with players that know how to handle the big occasion – just remember how good Wits were in last season’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. Celtic have played very well this season, a credit to their Serbian coach Veselin Jelusic, but I just think Saturday’s final will go the way of Hunt’s men, with a 2-1 scoreline.
Why Celtic will win (Khaya Ndubane, Online Content Manager)
When he arrived at Siwelele at the beginning of the season, many thought that by now Veselin Jelusic would be fired, but instead the Serbian is receiving praise for the good work that he has done at Celtic. The Serb has turned Celtic into a formidable side that is capable of beating any side on the day. Therefore, it would be insane to rule them out of winning this cup today. Granted, Wits have more experience in reaching cup finals, but the Celtic side will b motivated to win this one and end their cup drought. Wits were lucky to go through to the final after a rather lacklustre performance against a 10-man Chiefs outfit in the semifinals and coach Gavin Hunt admitted as much. Wits have not been at their best since the beginning of the season and it’s surprising that they went all the way to the final of the TKO, but today their luck will run out. Expect the likes of Kabelo Mahlasela to give them problems today, with Phunya Sele Sele edging the Students 2-1 in the end to clinch the title.
