Phala wants to defend TKO crown

Cape Town - SuperSport United winger Thuso Phala concedes the defending champions will have to up their game to retain their Telkom Knockout title.

After lifting the title last season with Matsatsantsa, Phala believes his team will have to work even harder to retain the TKO this time around.

After beating Golden Arrows 3-1 in the last eight, United face city rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi-finals.

"I think it's a fair draw for every team in the semi-finals and what we just want is to go all the way and defend our trophy," Phala told Soccer Laduma.

"We have to play above board and make sure we don't give our opposition the chance to score so that we can score and win the game.

"It will be an entertaining game and I know the guys are excited to face Sundowns in the semi-finals."