Home ground advantage proved the deciding factor in all of the 2014 Telkom Knockout first round matches and the so-called ‘Big Guns’ will enjoy their home comforts again, following the quarterfinal draw made on Monday. All eight teams playing in front of their own fans won through from the last 16, proving the advantage of playing at home is significant.
All of BidVest Wits, SuperSport United, Platinum Stars, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu, Ajax Cape Town and Orlando Pirates used their home ground advantage to the maximum to take one step closer to glory.
It is an astonishing statistic and one that proves Telkom’s belief that your home is the place where you should be most connected and most comfortable.
Just three victories now stand between the quarterfinalists and entering their names into the history books as this year’s champions.
A key component of the beautiful game is the excitement that the 12 players bring to the stadium that not only propels the team to victory, but further extends the conversations of the game outside of the stadium.
Orlando Pirates staunch supporter, Mama Joy Chauke, who has become well known for her trademark black and white painted face, voiced her opinions of the benefit of having home ground advantage after rallying her team to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium.
“Our role is quite simple. We make the Orlando Stadium to be the most intimidating venue for any team that comes there. We chant and blow our vuvuzelas as loud as we can, making home ground our advantage, “said Mama Joy.
Mama Joy’s arch-rival fan, Masilo Machaka of Kaizer Chiefs, believes it is the team’s supporters who have contributed to the success that the club is enjoying at the moment.
“Having home ground advantage means you are in the driving seat of the match and it is up to us as the fans to make sure that our team has the support it needs when we meet the defending champions of the Telkom Knockout at home,” said the ever vibrant Machaka.
Both sets of fans are embracing the draw and believe their encounters with Ajax Cape Town and Platinum Stars respectively will give them a good run for their money.
“Ajax will not be easy to beat. One thing that may count in their favour is that their coach knows our players quite well, after having led them to three major cup finals, but unfortunately for them, home ground advantage is in our favour,“ said Chauke.
Telkom’s slogan, ‘Tomorrow Starts Today’ has never been more relevant as the remaining clubs continue the journey of hope towards silverware at the end of the competition.
The Telkom Knockout resumes on October 25 and 26 as the competition enters into the exciting Quarter Final stages.
