Pablo Franco, coach of AmaZulu FC, begins his second season in South Africa. | BackpagePix
THE commencement of the 2024/2025 Betway Premiership season comes at the perfect time as the KwaZulu-Natal quadruple of AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Richards Bay and Royal AM enter the final stages of their preparations ahead of the opening day.
Having missed out on an opportunity to participate in the 2024 MTN8, the four clubs kept themselves busy with the KZN Premier’s Cup as well as the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup in recent weeks with a view to keep their match fitness at the right level.
However, the big stage is set this weekend as the battle for their respective targets begins and with all four of them missing out on the top eight last season, it is expected that would be the first point of call.
First up is the anxiety-stricken Thwihli Thwahla who welcome a new-look Cape Town City to the Harry Gwala Stadium this afternoon at 3pm.
Royal AM coach John Maduka has embraced the difficulties the club faces with their inability to sign any new players as their Fifa ban remains for the third transfer window in a row.
🚨 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎 🚨
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 11, 2024
John Maduka has a message for ALL the Royal AM fans ahead of the start of the #BetwayPrem. pic.twitter.com/4q7JxWo3ec
The experienced mentor has looked to the club’s academy to assemble any kind of firepower and stubbornness within his ranks, having also lost four key players in the off-season with the likes of Menzi Masuku and Shawn Mogaila hitting the exit doors.
City mentor Eric Tinkler and his immensely bolstered side will be rubbing their hands ahead of their trip to Pietermaritzburg, looking at facing what could be the weakest Royal AM team they’ve ever faced.
Having acquired a new midfield in Kamohelo Mokotjo, Haashim Domingo and Fortune Makaringe, City will be huge favourites despite being away.
In the 8pm kick-off, AmaZulu will occupy the away bench when they face last season’s surprise package in Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Usuthu, with seven new signings, are looking to better last season’s 11th-place finish on the log as coach Pablo Franco begins his second season in the country.
“Cijimpi” has reinforced his squad mostly in midfield and attacking areas with the likes of Luvuyo Phewa and Etiosa Ighodaro and he is expected to fire that arsenal at Rise and Shine, who are expected to be a stubborn and defensively sound team like last season.
🚨 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎 🚨
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 10, 2024
Polokwane City head coach Phuti Mohafe calls on the Rise and Shine fans to come out in numbers to support them when the #BetwayPrem gets underway this Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Ixijjhta5M
Tomorrow, Richards Bay will welcome TS Galaxy to the King Zwelithini Stadium in a 3pm clash with the glitter and expectations of ‘new money’ on their shoulders.
The Natal Rich Boyz have already opened their bank by recruiting the likes of Siyethemba Sithebe and Thabiso Kutumela from Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively amongst the eight signings made.
New coach Brandon Truter will be looking to end the club’s winless run against The Rockets, having lost one and drawn three of the four top-flight meetings between the two sides.
Golden Arrows will only feature next Wednesday as their opponents Stellenbosch have CAF Confederation Cup duty this weekend.