Chiefs and Pirates opening Betway Premiership fixtures confirmed
Kaizer Chiefs have shown vulnerability, particularly in defence, and are expected to add a few players to strengthen their squad.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates, under their new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, have also not been entirely convincing. They suffered one loss and secured a draw in a friendly match in Spain. With 10 new players signed, it may take some time for them to gel as a team.
Before the league begins, Pirates will kick off their MTN8 title defence against Polokwane City FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 2 August. A week later, they will play their first league match against Sekhukhune United, also at Orlando Stadium, scheduled for Saturday, 9 August.
Kaizer Chiefs will travel to Cape Town to face Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on 10 August. This will mark their first match of the season, as they failed to qualify for the MTN8.
Defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns will play against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday, 9 August. Masandawana will play Richards Bay a week before (3 August) in the MTN8 quarter-finals.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Disappointed Sundowns star sends message to the PSL?
Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana superstar Iqraam Rayners has been forced to be honest, and duly so. The 29-year-old Sundowns attacker from Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, feels the Premier Soccer League was unfair in listing the Footballer of the Season nominees. Despite the second-highest goals and assists output, the PSL nominated Lucas Ribeiro, Sekhukhune United's Keletso Makgalwa and Relebohile Mofekeng of Orlando Pirates. Transfer news: Orlando Pirates' decisions on 22 players Mamelodi Sundowns star Iqraam Rayners celebrates a goal against Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium in the Betway Premiership. Image: IOL With 22 goals and nine assists in the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, Carling Knockout, MTN8, and Nedbank Cup, Rayners was second best behind Lucas Ribeiro, who had 20 goals and 14 assists in the same competitions. Sundowns to announce two more players? However, the PSL's Footballer of the Season nominees listed Ribeiro, Keletso Makgalwa (six goals and 11 assists) and Relebohile Mofokeng (12 goals and 15 assists). 'Obviously I was disappointed when I saw the players they nominated,' Rayners said via Pitchside Podcast. 'Don't you think my stats were good enough to be among the nominees?' 'I think the best player for me in the league was Lucas, obviously. I'm second after Lucas. You know, other people don't see it like that… so obviously I was disappointed,' the Sundowns star added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Sundowns eye clean sweep while newcomers Orbit aim to survive
Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns instructs players during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on 25 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix As the 2025/26 South African football season kicks off, the contrasting ambitions of two Betway Premiership clubs set the stage for an intriguing campaign. Mamelodi Sundowns, the undisputed giants of domestic football, enter the new term with silverware in their sights and continental glory firmly on their radar. In stark contrast, top-flight debutants Orbit College are preparing for a battle of survival, armed with belief, loyalty to their playing identity, and a few strategic signings. From title favourites to hopeful newcomers, both clubs face defining seasons ahead. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The CAF Champions League trophy remains an elusive goal for Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix TOP TRUMPS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS Club Owner: Patrice Motsepe Head Coach: Miguel Cardoso Highest ever finish: Champions Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, CAF Champions League Silverware chances: Excellent for all domestic competitions; one of the favourites for the Champions League For Mamelodi Sundowns, the prospect of a clean sweep looms large. With strong squad depth and tactical refinement under Miguel Cardoso, they are well poised to lift multiple trophies, including the league and domestic cups. Their only uncertainty lies in the CAF Champions League, but with Cardoso enjoying a full pre-season — unlike last term when he joined in December 2024 — expectations are sky-high for continental success. Cardoso and his technical team have sharpened the team's defensive resolve and attacking flair, with star forwards Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Peter Shalulile, as well as midfield maestros Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena, leading the charge. Their chemistry has created a ruthlessly effective, yet stylish brand of football. The high-profile acquisition of Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC raised eyebrows, particularly given the presence of stalwart left-back Aubrey Modiba. With both players vying for national team selection ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the internal competition adds another layer of pressure and intrigue. Despite their dominance, Cardoso insists on humility and focus. Every match is treated with the utmost seriousness, as Sundowns look to extend their legacy underpinned by discipline, teamwork, and hunger. Fawaaz Basadien has transfered to Mamelodi Sundowns for the new season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpageopix Players to watch: Fawaaz Basadien, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Marcelo Allende Predicted League finish: First Orbit College celebrate promotion, at the expense of Cape Town City, earlier this year. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM ORBIT COLLEGE Club chairman: Dika Mokoena Head coach: Pogiso Makhoye Highest ever finish: Promotion to the the Premiership via play-offs Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout Cup. Silvareware chances: First season in the top flight, not amongst the favourites to win any silverware. Orbit College embark on their first Betway Premiership campaign with modest goals — survival chief among them. Coach Pogiso Makhoye, a stalwart of the club for over 15 years, will oversee their transition into elite competition following a strong promotion play-off showing. Orbit's rise has been built on consistency and staying true to their identity. Makhoye insists that their promotion does not signal a radical shift in approach, and that belief in their existing system will be key to staying afloat. Strategic signings include the loan acquisition of Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates. The Bafana Bafana winger brings much-needed top-flight experience and could prove decisive in tight contests. While game time was scarce for him at Pirates last season, his talent is undisputed. The Mswenko Boys' refusal to be overawed by the Premiership challenge may prove a vital asset. With minimal changes and a fearless mindset, they enter the campaign with belief that they can defy the odds. Monnapule Saleng will run out in the colours of Orbit College in the upcoming season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Players to watch: Monnapule Saleng, Sekhoane Moerane and Siyabulela Mabele Predicted league finish: Survival by finishing 14th On Wednesday, we take a look at would-be challengers Orlando Pirates and newly promoted Durban City
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
'It's R10 for Kaizer Chiefs, R8 for others': Amakhosi legend on transfer bias
Kaizer Chiefs legend Reneilwe Letsholonanye claims PSL clubs are overpricing their players when Amakhosi shows interest. In the past few years, the Soweto giants have shown interest in the likes of Fawaaz Basadien and Oswin Appollis, but failed to meet the asking price of the players. Letsholonyane feel whenever Amakhosi approach clubs for players, they don't get a fair deal. 'I feel like anyone who would give you R800 (for example), you should be fair enough to release a player, right? But it cannot work that when it's Chiefs who want a certain player, it's R10, but when it's other people, it's R8; that's not doing business ethically,' Letsholonyane told Omniaudioafrica YouTube Channel . 'It's either two things: they know Chiefs won't pay that amount of money, or they won't pay because you're overpricing a player. Two, really, really, that team doesn't want to sell the player to Chiefs,' he added. 'So what do you do as Kaizer Chiefs if people are overpricing players? Personally, I would not force things myself, to be honest, if there are different prices for the same player. I'd rather go to teams who put the same price or players I can afford, and we'll build from there,' Letsholonyane said. Kaizer Chiefs have signed six players ahead of the new season but none of them a big names. It remains to be seen if the Glamour Boys can improve following a poor 2024/25 camapign. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
