By SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Absa Premiership, the continent’s most lucrative domestic league, kicks off on Friday evening with a clash featuring champions Bidvest Wits and last season’s surprise package, Cape Town City.
The match is set for the Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein. Kickoff is at 20h00.
It will be the first match in succession between the sides after they were drawn to play each other in the two-legged MTN 8 semifinal.
Wits, who signed Steven Pienaar and Daylon Claasen in their squad will depend on the skills of last season’s stars such as Mozambican veteran winger-cum-midfielder, Elias Pelembe, and Malawian forward Gabadinho Mhango.
Englishman James Keene is another reliable source of goals.
Cape Town City, save for the departure of coach Eric Tinkler, have not tinkered from last season, which they finished third.
The city’s favourite son, Benni McCarthy, is now at the helm.Its LM2 combination of Lebogang Manyama and Lehlohonolo Majoro are again expected to lead the attack.
Derbies will highlight the return of the Premiership.
On Saturday, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns will contest the Pretoria derby at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Polokwane City and Baroka FC will battle it out at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Limpopo derby.
Newly-promoted AmaZulu take on Free State Stars at King Zwelithini Stadiumin, Durban while wounded giants Orlando Pirates host Chippa United at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Youthful Ajax Cape Town wind up Saturday’s matches with a tricky tie against exciting Golden Arrows at Cape Town Stadium.
Elsewhere on Sunday Bloemfontein Celtic host Kaizer Chiefs in what will be a soldout Free State Stadium.
Patinum Stars entertain Maritzburg United at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Both Sunday matches kick off at 15h00.
FULL FIXTURE
Friday 18TH August:
– Bidvest Wits vs Cape Town City FC (Bidvest Stadium 20h00)
Saturday 19th August:
– SuperSport United vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Lucas Moripe Stadium 15h00)
– Polokwane City vs Baroka FC (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium 15h00)
– AmaZulu FC vs Free State Stars (King Zwelithini Stadium 15h00)
– Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United (Orlando Stadium 18h00)
– Ajax Cape Town vs Golden Arrows (Cape Town Stadium 20h15)
Sunday 20th August
– Bloemfontein Celtic vs Kaizer Chiefs (Free State Stadium 15h00)
Platinum Stars vs Maritzburg United (Royal Bafokeng Stadium 15h00.
– CAJ News