2024/25 Betway Premiership
Matchday 1
14-15 September 2024
The new
Betway Premiership season is finally upon us as Kaizer Chiefs fans wait with bated breath to see what Nasreddine Nabi has in store for them following his appointment in July.
Nabi kicks off his Kaizer Chiefs tenure with a trip to newly-promoted Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, September 14.
The Glamour Boys limped to a 10th-placed finish in the league last term under the guidance of Cavin Johnson, who was handed the reins on an interim basis in October 2023 following a short and turbulent stint for Molefi Ntseki.
Amakhosi closed out the 2023-24 campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Cape Town Spurs which extended their winless run to five games, but Nabi has urged the club's fanatical supporters to temper their expectations.
"Firstly, I want to build a strong team. Then, when you build a strong team, you talk about the cups. It's not possible to finish 10th and then expect to win cups or the league," the Tunisian tactician said.
"If you respect Kaizer Chiefs and the fans of Kaizer Chiefs, you will understand that patience is key. I know there is a challenge. We have the experience for the challenge we are undertaking. I have faced similar challenges before, I know my direction, and I'm not afraid of the pressure. I embrace the challenge."
Gallants made a swift return to the top tier of South African football following their relegation via the playoffs in 2022-23. However, they didn't do it the normal way, having brought the PSL status of Moroka Swallows in July after finishing 11th in the Motsepe Foundation Championship last season.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have already made two coaching changes, bringing back Dan Malesela last month after Dylan Kerr promptly resigned just three weeks after being appointed to the helm in July.
Earlier in the day, Cape Town City will begin their title challenge away to Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
The Citizens were one of the early championship contenders last season before a dismal run in the new year saw them embark on a 10-match winless run, although they would finish fifth after winning three of the last four games.
Thwihli Thwahla endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign and narrowly avoided relegation after picking up four points from their final two outings to finish in 13th position.
In the late kick-off, AmaZulu will be hoping for a better second season under Pablo Franco Martin when they take on Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Usuthu drew more games than any other team last term (12) as they finished three points outside the top eight in 11th spot, having won just one of their final five encounters.
Rise And Shine enjoyed an impressive return to the top flight despite sacking Lehlohonolo Seema in November and replacing him with Phuti Mohafe. The Limpopo outfit lost just two of their last 10 games to secure the final MTN 8 berth ahead of Golden Arrows.
In the lone fixture taking place on Sunday, September 15, Brandon Truter will be aiming to make a winning start to his reign at Richards Bay when TS Galaxy arrive at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.
The Natal Rich Boys appointed Truter last month as the successor to Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who retained their top-flight status via the promotion/relegation playoffs in June after finishing second from bottom.
Vilakazi did well just to get the team within two points of Swallows after winning five of his last 10 matches, which included victories against Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch.
Truter is harbouring ambitions of a top-eight finish with the KZN outfit after their relegation struggles of the past two seasons.
"We want to move away from that situation. Top-eight is the target," he told 89.7 FM. "I have not finished a season outside the top eight, but personally it's game by game and we want to win every game that we play.
"It was important to breed a culture and create an environment of wanting to win and not being scared ... we're very close to where we want to be."
The Rockets had a fantastic 2023-24 season and were challenging for a top-three finish at one stage before the wheels came off and they won just three of the last 10 matches.
Betway Premiership matchday 1 fixtures:
Saturday, September 14
15h00: Royal AM v Cape Town City
17h30: Marumo Gallants v Kaizer Chiefs
20h00: Polokwane City v AmaZulu
Sunday, September 15
15h00: Richards Bay v TS Galaxy
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