Bidvest Wits are set to lock horns with Free State Stars in their Telkom Knockout Cup encounter at the Bidvest Wits as both sides look to book their place in the next round of the competition.
This will be the fifth time since that Bidvest Wits have clashed with Free State Stars in the Telkom Knockout competition, and the third year in a row.
Wits have yet to come out on top, with the previous four results:
1996: Second Round – Wits 1 (Williams) Stars 2 (Ewen (og), Rafferty (og))
2012: Quarterfinal – Wits 0 Stars 0 – Stars won 4-3 on penalties
2015: First Round – Stars 1 (Venter) Wits 0
2016: First Round – Stars 3 (Sekola, Dlamini, Venter) Wits 1 (Klate)
The teams have clashed on 63 previous occasions in all competitions, with Wits claiming victory in 21 of those, to go with 18 wins for Stars and 24 draws. Wits have outscored their opponents 62-55 in that time.
In matches played at Wits, they have won 13 to four for Stars and 12 draws. Wits lead the scoring 34-18.
The record in all cup games is tighter. Of the nine games played, there have been three wins each to go with three draws. Wits have scored eight goals and Stars seven.
The recent record between the two does not make for pretty reading for Wits though. They have won just one of the last 10 games to go with five victories for Stars and four draws.
The teams have already met this season in the league and played to a 2-2 draw in the Free State. Relebogile Mokhuoane and Siphelele Mthembu were on target for Stars, while Kobamelo Kodisang and Reeve Frosler netted for Wits.
Stars have lost in the first round of the Telkom Knockout just once in the last five years, and have two semi-final and two quarterfinal finishes in that time.
Wits have exited in the first round of the Telkom Knockout in 12 of the 20 years they have played in the competition in the Premier Soccer League era. That includes first-round exits in three of the last four years. The last time they moved past the opening stage was in 2014 when they beat Moroka Swallows 3-0.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt led the side to their maiden league title in the 2016-17 season, but despite seven major trophies in his coaching career, he has yet to lift the Telkom Knockout. He has four league championships (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2016-17), the Absa Cup (2004), Nedbank Cup (2012) and MTN8 (2016) to his credit.
The match is scheduled for 20:15.
