The wait for competitive club soccer is finally over at 7.30pm on Friday night, when PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns travel to Sekhukhune United.
With the last ball kicked on the local front on May 20 and on May 28 in the Premier League, fans have been uitgehonger for months for some action for months on end.
But from Friday onwards, itโs coming thick and fast with Kapenaars having three spanne in the PSL. And Stellenbosch FC, Cape Town Spurs and Cape Town City want to rukkie ding.
The wait is over! It's time to begin our #DStvPrem title defence! Tomorrow, we begin our campaign with your #๐![CDATA[]]>๐![CDATA[]]>๐![CDATA[]]>๐![CDATA[]]>๐![CDATA[]]>๐![CDATA[]]>๐ ๐ฅ![CDATA[]]>๐
โ Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 3, 2023
โฝ Sekhukhune United vs Mamelodi Sundowns
๐ 04 August
โฐ 19H30
๐ Peter Mokaba Stadium
๐ DStv Premiership
๐บ SS 202
๐ฒ #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/WPNereFChU
Stellies get the Kaapse action off to a blockbuster start at the Danie Craven Stadium when they host Orlando Pirates on Saturday night at 8pm, before Spurs tackle TS Galaxy in Mbombela at 3pm on Sunday and City host Polokwane City at Athlone Stadium at 5.30pm to close out the weekend action.
Maroons coach Steve Barker has been besig in the transfer market and hopes to have the transfer of ex-Kaizer Chiefs winger Kgaogela Sekgota done before kickoff as his eighth new signing.
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โ Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) August 1, 2023
HOME FOR OUR FIRST MATCH OF 23/24!
๐ Polokwane City
๐ Sunday 6 August
๐ #DStvPrem
โ๏ธ 17:30PM
๐ Athlone Stadium
๐บ Televised
๐ซ https://t.co/EsUekJgqLa#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/ZfWodgoJBY
He says of his facing Bucs: โWe started at home to Pirates last season too, so weโre looking forward to going on better [following that 1-1 draw].โ
Spurs are back in the top flight after five years and coach Shaun Bartlett has demanded a fast start, saying: โMany people say โitโs not out you start, itโs how you finishโ. But have different opinion and I want a good start against TS Galaxy on Sunday.โ
City boss Eric Tinkler, meanwhile, will be without defensive stalwarts Taariq Fielies and Lorenzo Gordinho for his opening game.
Hinting at a formation change ahead of their clash against Polokwane, he says: โDefensively last season we were great. It only makes sense that itโs been our primary focus.
โIt might sound counterintuitive, but securing our goal means we can focus on scoring goals.โ
WEEKENDโS PSL FIXTURES
Sekhukhune v Sundowns (7pm).
Friday: Arrows v Swallows, SuperSport v Richards Bay (both 3pm), Royal AM v AmaZulu (5.30pm), Stellenbosch v Pirates (8pm).
Sunday: TS Galaxy v CT Spurs, Chiefs v Chippa (both 3pm), CT City v Polokwane (5.30pm).
matthew.marcus@inl.co.za