Orlando Pirates are already back in competitive action with Caf Champions League qualification on the line and MTN8 semis around the corner. Kaizer Chiefs must wait a while until they kick a competitive ball.
Orlando Pirates still scrapping to make the Caf Champions League
Pirates must negotiate a two-legged Caf Champions League qualifier against Disciples FC. The teams drew 0-0 in the first leg and will meet for the second leg on Friday 23 August. It’s the start of a busy schedule for the Sea Robbers who also have two MTN8 semi-finals to prepare for. They face Cape Town City away from home on 27 August and then at home on 31 August. The Buccaneers could very realistically have sealed Caf Champions League qualification and a place in the MTN8 final before the new Betway Premiership season even kicks off.
The fabled number 10 jersey, retired in domestic league competition since Jomo Sono hung his boots up, is still available in continental competition. The honour has been handed to the silky left foot of Patrick Maswanganyi. Here are the other numbers including a strange choice for prodigy playmaker Mofokeng. The 19-year-old became a bona fide star last season and is now a full Bafana Bafana international, capable of playing centrally or as a ball carrier in wide channels. He’ll wear the slightly unusual number 3, usually reserved for left-backs, in Caf Champions League matches next term.
First five Betway Premiership matches
Mofokeng and his colleagues would love to get off to a great start to put pressure on Sundowns. Here are their first five:
- Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United, Saturday, 14 September Orlando Stadium, 15:00
- Cape Town City vs Orlando Pirates, Saturday, 21 September, DHL Stadium, 15:00
- Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City, Tuesday, 24 September, Orlando Stadium, 15:00
- Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates, Sunday, 29 September, King Zwelithini Stadium, 15:00
- Orlando Pirates vs AmaZulu, Friday, 25 October, Orlando Stadium, 19:30
Kaizer Chiefs must wait until mid-September
Chiefs get their 2024-2025 campaign underway with a trip to Marumo Gallants. Here’s what fans can expect in the opening weeks, including testing assignments against the champions and last season’s seventh-place finishers SuperSport. Nabi hopes to have new signings, such as Fiacre Ntwari, Rushwin Dortley, Bongani Sam, Gaston Sirino, and Inacio Miguel, all integrated, fit, and firing. He’ll also want to have a few more names on board by then. The transfer window closes on 20 September.
- Marumo Gallants vs Chiefs – Saturday, 14 September, Toyota Stadium, 17:30
- Chiefs vs Stellenbosch – Sunday, 22 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
- AmaZulu vs Chiefs – Wednesday, 25 September, King Zwelithini Stadium, 19:30
- Chiefs vs Sundowns – Saturday, 28 September, FNB Stadium, 15:00
- SuperSport United vs Chiefs – Saturday, 26 October, Lucas Moripe Stadium, 17:30
Will Pirates finally win the league crown this season?
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Orlando Pirates finished the 2023-2024 DStv Premiership campaign in second place, earning a spot in the 2024-2025 Caf Champions League. Jose Riveiro’s team also won two major honours, beating Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 finals. Riveiro’s mandate will be to dethrone Sundowns and deliver the first top-flight league title for the Buccaneers fans since 2012.