Kaizer Chiefs will begin the defence of their Telkom Knockout Cup title on the road against Platinum Stars in the last 16 phase of the competition. The Amakhosi learned that they would be facing Stars at the draw conducted at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.

Last season Chiefs defeated Orlando Pirates 3-0 in the final and won the Telkom Knockout Cup for a 13th time and it was their 10th triumph in this tournament in the PSL era. The Amakhosi head into this season's Telkom Knockout Cup as the double defending champions, having won the last two editions of the tournament.

The past

Kaizer Chiefs have twice previously met Platinum Stars in this competition, which are the only two cup meetings between the sides in the previous eight campaigns that they have been in the top flight together since Stars promotion in 2003 – 2004 to the PSL.

In the final in 2003 – 2044 when the tournament was still known as the Coca Cola Cup, it was Chiefs who ran out 2-0 victors, defeating Stars at the FNB Stadium prior to its World Cup renovation.

During the inaugural Telkom Knockout Cup in 2006 – 2007 the teams squared off at the quarterfinals stage at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg. That time around Stars won 2-1 and went to win the Cup in 2006 – 2007.

History Beckons

Amakhosi coach Vladimir Vermezovic could follow in the footsteps of former Chiefs coach Paul Dolezar who won this same competition in its previous incarnation as the Rothmans Cup, three years in succession.

The lure of creating history is not important at this stage to Vermezovic, who said, “Personal milestones are not essential. In the past I have said that stats don’t mean much to me.

"It is more important for us to be able to successfully defend our title. It will be difficult just as it was in the last two tournaments. I expect this season's tournament to produce even more fun and it will be a bigger challenge than it has been in the last two years.

"We will be playing Stars twice in a week. We meet them in the cup first and then a league game after. That will be something to prepare for but this element will make the cup clash all the more exciting.”

According to Vermezovic, winning the Telkom Knockout Cup once again is very high on Chiefs' agenda. “Winning the league remains our Chief objective. Having said that we definitely want to win another Telkom Trophy and we will do our level best to hold onto our title.”

Telkom Knockout last 16 full draw:


BidVest Wits vs Amazulu


Platinum Stars vs Kaizer Chiefs


Orlando Pirates vs Black Leopards


Jomo Cosmos vs Bloemfontein Celtic


SuperSport United vs Golden Arrows


Moroka Swallows vs Mamelodi Sundowns


Santos vs Maritzburg United


Ajax Cape Town vs Free State Stars