Posted in News on Dec 03, 2010.
The Amakhosi have won the Telkom Knockout Cup through its various name changes on twelve occasions and have been beaten just thrice in the final, which does make for good reading.
Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic has said that thirteen is his lucky number and it would please him to guide the club to its thirteenth triumph in this competition.
Over the years Chiefs have enjoyed playing in this particular competition and while they were success in this tournament during the 1980’s, the 1990’s saw them go through somewhat of a lean patch winning the trophy twice in 1997 – 1998 as well as in 1998 – 1999 and they were beaten finalists in 1992 losing to AmaZulu.
Since the inception of the PSL in 1996 – 1997 Chiefs have played in eight Telkom Knockout Cup finals, and in this time lost just once in the final which was during the 2002 – 2003 final to Jomo Cosmos, Saturday’s cup final will be the ninth time in the PSL era that Chiefs will be featuring in the Telkom Knockout Cup final.
The Amakhosi did enjoy a run of reaching four Telkom Knockout Cup finals in succession kicking off in the 2001 – 2002 season and running up to the 2004 – 2005 season, winning three of these four finals.
Chiefs midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha could set a personal milestone should he feature against Pirates, as he will equal the record set by former Amakhosi stalwart Thabo Mooki who played in six Telkom Knockout Cup finals.
Presently Tinashe has featured in five Telkom Knockout Cup Finals for the club and he will also be featuring in his tenth Cup Final in all competitions.
In the PSL era Chiefs and Pirates have squared off just once before in a Cup final which was during the 2005 – 2006 season, a game which The Amakhosi managed to win on penalty kicks after 120 minutes of football at the Absa Stadium in Durban field to provide a goal.
As the defending champions Chiefs will be hoping to hold onto their title without any suspensions or injuries to contend with they do have the luxury of being able to field their strongest team.
Saturday’s final will be the first time in the 28 year history of the Telkom Knockout Cup that Chiefs will be meeting their Soweto rivals in the Final.
