The Premier Soccer League (PSL) enters a new era with the kick-off of the Betway Premiership, with the first round of the 2024-25 season running from Saturday to Wednesday.
The extended span for the first block of fixtures is due to several clubs participating in the qualifying rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup this weekend.
That includes champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who will have to wait until next Tuesday to begin the defence of their seven-year title reign with a Tshwane derby at home to SuperSport United.
The Brazilians remain the favourites to win the Premiership again, but there are signs of cracks in their armour: the departure of coach Rhulani Mokwena to Wydad Casablanca and a 2-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Stellenbosch FC in the semifinals of the MTN8 suggest that Sundowns’ aura of invincibility is fading.
All eyes will be on Sundowns, Pirates, Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune as they look to raise the bar in the #BetwayPrem
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 12, 2024
Here's a guide of their off season and squad composition 👇
Yet SuperSport themselves come into the match under something of a cloud, as admitted by coach Gavin Hunt: “We have to bring in too many [players], we’ve got nothing here and we’re struggling. We lost [Etiosa] Ighodaro and Bradley [Grobler] which is a big blow.”
FOCUS ON KAIZER CHIEFS
The league kicks-off on Saturday afternoon at the Harry Gwala Stadium, with Royal AM hosting Cape Town City.
The day also features Polokwane City tackling AmaZulu FC, but most focus will fall on heavyweights Kaizer Chiefs, who open their campaign in the late afternoon at the Free State Stadium against newly-promoted Marumo Gallants.
Next Kaizer Chiefs Match!
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 12, 2024
🏆#BetwayPrem
⚽️Marumo Gallants vs. Kaizer Chiefs
👕First Team
🗓️Saturday 14 September 2024
🏟Toyota Free State Stadium
🕞17h30
🎟R50/R60 - Ticketpro, Spar - https://t.co/nSBHeT3ji1
📺SuperSport 202#Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/90Z61JRg5J
The Amakhosi are desperate to end a near-decade dry spell in terms of major trophies won, but first they just need to improve on a nightmare 2023-24 league season in which they came in 10th place – the storied club’s worst finish in the PSL era.
They have brought in Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi (who enjoyed significant success with Tanzanian giants Young Africans from 2021 to 2024), and he has already asked for patience from supporters.
“If you respect Kaizer Chiefs and the fans of Kaizer Chiefs, you will understand that patience is key. I know there is a challenge,” said Nabi. “I love my club. I love my fans. My staff and I will give 200 per cent, and I know the direction I am taking.”
𝐒𝐞𝐤'𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞 ✌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 12, 2024
We're two days away from the opening weekend of the #BetwayPrem
TS Galaxy will wrap up the weekend's matches as they take on Richards Bay in Durban. pic.twitter.com/TDvwG93KJB
Sunday’s lone game sees Richards Bay hosting TS Galaxy, while the round will close out next Wednesday with a trio of evening matches: the rising force that is Stellenbosch FC will host Golden Arrows; Premiership debutants Magesi FC will be away to Sekhukhune United in a Limpopo derby; and Orlando Pirates (the team regarded by most pundits as the best-placed to dethrone Sundowns) will welcome Chippa United to Soweto.
FIXTURES (14-18 September)
Times CAT
Saturday 14 September
3pm: Royal AM v Cape Town City
5:30pm: Marumo Gallants v Kaizer Chiefs
8pm: Polokwane City v AmaZulu
Sunday 15 September
3pm: Richards Bay v TS Galaxy
Tuesday 17 September
7:30pm: Mamelodi Sundowns v SuperSport United
Wednesday 18 September
7:30pm Orlando Pirates v Chippa United
7:30pm Stellenbosch FC v Golden Arrows
7:30pm Sekhukhune United v Magesi FC