By Robert Matakanye,
The Absa Premiership League 2018/19 campaign which was threatened by legal action undertaken by Ajax Cape Town to keep their top flight status begins at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday with a classic clash between defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns against Kaizer Chiefs kickoff 15:00
Sundowns have dominated South Africa football since the arrival of Pitso Mosimane in 2012.During that time Masandawana have won three Absa Premiership titles in the process along with continental cup success with the 2016 Caf Champions League
Sundowns have built a squad that is the envy of every coach in the Absa Premiership.They may lost two of their star men in Percy Tau and Khama Billiat,but they dipped into the transfer market to add to a squad already packed full of talent
The game will be filled with a number of subplots as Chiefs players Billiat,Castro and Ramahlwe Mphahlele will come up against their former employers
The encounter will be Khama Billiat second against the defending champions having already faced them in a pre-season friendly
The two sides have already had an opportunity to test one another as they meet in a pre-season tournament last month but the atmosphere is bound to be entirely different this time around
Both teams will be missing their key men in midfield for this encounter through injury
New Sundowns signing Andile Jali has been ruled out altogether after picking up a knock on his debut in the Caf Champions’ Leagues three weeks ago
Sundowns will also be without Anthony Laffour,while Oupa Manyisa is doubtful for the team opening league match
Also doubtful is Sibusiso Vilakazi who has been one of their best players so far in the new season
Other PSL fixtures
Black Leopards VS Polokwane City, Peter Mokaba Stadium kickoff 18:00
Cape Town City VS Supersport United Cape Town Stadium kickoff 18:00
Bidvest Wits VS Free State Stars Bidvest Stadium kickoff 18:00
Orlando Pirates VS Highlands Park Orlando Stadium kickoff 20:15
Amazulu VS Baroka King Zwelithini Stadium kickoff 20:15
7-August 2018
Maritzburg United VS Golden Arrows Harry Gwala Stadium kickoff 15:00
Bloemfontein Celtic VS Chippa United kick off 15:00