The Premier Soccer League (PSL) gets going this Sunday after the major leagues of the world came to a halt for international friendlies and continental qualifying games.
On Sunday, five games will be played around the country. The pick of the bunch is SuperSport United hosting Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Both teams have played three league games this season and have a win each as they both beat Benoni Premier United. Chiefs have four points, though, as they have a draw and a loss while SuperSport, one point behind, have lost twice.
The rivalry between the two is fierce especially after SuperSport beat Chiefs on their 37th birthday celebration in a league game. There is no doubt Chiefs will want to avenge this defeat and, more importantly, gain three points in their race for the league title. A loss or even a draw will increase the pressure on Muhsin Ertugral who is in his second stint with the Glamour Boys.
United have been more successful in Cup tournaments, but with new coach Gavin Hunt at the helm, their sights are on the league title. Expect United to go all out and deny the Amakhosi a win.
In Germiston, seventh-placed Moroka Swallows host 11th-placed Golden Arrows. Swallows striker Alton Meiring has not found the back of the net yet but his counterpart at Arrows, Norman Smith, has already netted twice.
With his former team coming to town, the former Sundowns and Mother City hit man could find the inspiration to score. One goal is all the Dube Birds need and Meiring is the likely scorer.
In Cape Town, Ajax welcome Jomo Cosmos to Newlands. The robust Cosmos have only starred in one game, against Chiefs, and were rather ordinary in their other outings. A physical approach is the norm from Cosmos, but the Ajax youngsters give back as good as they get. A draw can be expected from this encounter.
In KwaZulu-Natal, Amazulu take on early league leaders Bloemfontein Celtic. Amazulu started the season with a bang, beating defending champions Sundowns in their own backyard, but the relegation play-off survivors have declined since with a draw and a loss.
Against Celtic they will have to produce the form they showed against Sundowns as Masokolara grafted hard for their early lead. With vibrant fans supporting them, Celtic can maintain their position and add to Amazulu’s early troubles.
After a healthy cash injection from the Bafokeng tribe, Platinum Stars have not shown the quality their name or billionaire sponsors require from them. Against Benoni though they have an opportunity to lift themselves from an early struggle in the league.
Benoni too have received a massive cash boost from a Swedish consortium, but on the field have never looked as if they are PSL quality. A win for Stars is certain, but how easy it will be is up to their misfiring strikers.
All the games are expected to kick off at 3pm. — Sapa