After hosting its final event of the 2007 edition of the Telkom Knockout - Tuesday afternoon's awards in Johannesburg - sponsors Telkom admitted that they could not have asked for a better climax to Africa's richest domestic knockout competition.

Speaking at the event's awards ceremony at the Wanderers, Telkom's Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Zola Nkuta admitted that the competition had gone completely according to plan, which made her, and Telkom, proud to be associated with South African football.

"What an evening we had on Saturday, the tension, the excitement," lauded Nkuta.

"There was a time when we could hear a pin drop, because of the tension. The TKO journey to the final has been memorable, a roller-coaster of emotions, heartbreaking for some, joyous for some, a spectacular 12 weeks of football, we could not have asked for more."

Speaking about Tuesday's awards, which saw Kaizer Chiefs stopper Itumeleng Khune walk off with two gongs, Nkuta added: "Telkom is honoured to host the first Telkom Knockout players' awards. It has been the Telkom Knockout time since September and it is fitting today that we get to celebrate in this form.

"As promised in the Telkom Knockout launch that we would commit to have this event and to showcase the hottest talent that will become pillars of South African football. Telkom Knockout has once again lived up to its billing as the country’s premier knockout competition."

Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Kjetil Siem added: "They have been a great sponsor. They showed passion for the tournament, for the clubs, for the players. They've done the right thing.

"Yes, the money is a good thing. But money is one thing and the quality of the product is another, which is the more important thing for us to build on. I'm very proud to have Telkom on board."