Orlando Pirates’ Slow Starts and Kaizer Chiefs Into the Wild as Betway Premiership Kicks Off
The commencement of the Betway Premiership is set for Saturday, presenting what appears to be a rather subdued start to the season, with minimal anticipation generated in recent weeks. The inaugural weekend features seven matches, though the anticipated fixture involving Mamelodi Sundowns has been postponed due to their delayed return from a pre-season camp in Austria.
One of the key encounters to watch will be the match between newly promoted Milford FC and the reigning champions, Orlando Pirates, as they meet in Soweto. The readiness of Pirates’ players, many of whom participated in the World Cup, is under scrutiny. The potential effects of their emotional fatigue after such a significant tournament remain to be seen. Historically, Pirates have struggled with slow starts in their league journeys, having lost their initial two games in the previous season yet managing to secure the championship title eventually.
On the other hand, Milford FC, who earned their promotion through play-offs and have a notable history of defeating prominent teams like Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup, enter this match with a sense of ambition despite facing a significant increase in competition level. They have retained most of their squad from the past season, making this duel an intriguing debut for both clubs against one another.
Into the Wild Kruger
Kaizer Chiefs are poised to initiate their campaign under the new leadership of coach Fernando Da Cruz, taking on promoted Kruger United in a match expected to draw a large crowd at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening. Chiefs, after finishing third last season, aim to become contenders for the title this year, although Da Cruz has openly stated that this will be a challenging endeavor.
Despite the club’s underwhelming transfer activities thus far, they are banking on the core players from last season who, although a top-three finish was achieved, were often criticized for their lack of striking prowess. Kruger United clinched automatic promotion with strong performances late last season and boasts players experienced in top-flight football, offering them a commendable platform to challenge the Chiefs right at the onset of the league.
All Change at Stellies
The situation at Stellenbosch FC raises questions about the squad’s composition, as the current transfer window has seen a significant number of players depart the club. Coach Gavin Hunt is tasked with reshaping the team before their home opener against AmaZulu, which is to be held in Durban due to the unavailability of suitable venues in the Western Cape.
This transformative phase for Stellies might involve a shift towards a more direct style of play, moving away from the possession-based approach that characterized their previous campaigns. Although this pivot comes with risks, club management has endorsed Hunt, trusting his extensive experience to guide the team through these changes.
AmaZulu, conversely, aims to build on their commendable fourth-place finish from last season under Coach Arthur Zwane and has made only minimal changes to their lineup. Their objective remains firm: to clinch a qualification spot for CAF Interclub competitions in the forthcoming year.
Coach vs. Coach
The opening day of the new season marks a significant reunion for former co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, who departed from Kaizer Chiefs at the close of the last season. Kaze has taken the helm at Sekhukhune United, while Ben Youssef has moved to Durban City. They will face off at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane this Saturday.
Last season, Sekhukhune secured a respectable fifth-place finish, whereas Durban City ended their campaign in eighth place upon their return to the top flight, reveling in a notable Nedbank Cup victory. Despite their success, Durban City parted ways with coach Pitso Dladla, who is now with Lamontville Golden Arrows. Notably, Sekhukhune triumphed in their previous encounter against City, winning 2-0, while the reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw. The Limpopo club has been formidable at home, with their only defeat since January being against Kaizer Chiefs.
Road Trip
TS Galaxy, now under the permanent guidance of coach Bernard Parker, will embark on an away match against Siwelele in Bloemfontein this Sunday. Galaxy battled relegation throughout the last season and managed to escape the drop largely through drawn matches, whereas Siwelele finished in a comfortable 10th position, just shy of the top eight by two points.
One of Siwelele’s significant challenges in their last campaign was their goal-scoring struggles, netting only 24 times, underscoring the area that they must enhance moving forward. Last season, they recorded an unfortunate tally of 13 draws out of 30 games. With Galaxy needing to avoid a repeat of last season’s relegation worries and considering their talent-laden team, this fixture on the road will test their mettle, especially given their difficulty in securing away wins—only managing two in 15 matches last season.
