Absa Premiership set to kick-off

The much-anticipated start of the 2016/17 Absa Premiership season is only a few days away.

The season officially kicks-off on the night of 23 August when 14 of the 16 premiership teams will be in action.

All fixtures on the opening night and the following day will kick-off at 7.30pm, with the opening night seeing four fixtures played, while Wednesday night (24 August) will have three matches.

Day one of the season will see last season’s Absa Premiership runners-up, Bidvest Wits hosting Kaizer Chiefs at the Bidvest Stadium. While 15 of the 16 league clubs have been playing friendly games over the past three months, reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been keeping busy in Africa. The Brazilians are in the semifinals of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League and will seemingly be best prepared to tackle the season head-on.

Coach Pitso Mosimane’s men, however, will not be in action when the first round of games are played next week due to their continental commitments, as they have a date in Nigeria against Enyimba on 23 August to conclude the formality of group matches.

But there will be plenty of other action to look forward to, including a first glimpse of promoted Baroka FC and the Premier Soccer League’s newest franchise, Cape Town City.

‘Bakgaga’, as Baroka are known, will be at home to Ajax Cape Town at the Peter Mokaba Stadium; while City, previously known as Mpumalanga Black Aces, will welcome Polokwane City to the Cape Town Stadium.

The final match on the first night of action will see Chippa United take on Free State Stars at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

On 24 August, Orlando Pirates play Lamontville Golden Arrows in Soweto, Platinum Stars will be up against SuperSport United at Royal Bafokeng Stadium; and Bloemfontein Celtic take on Maritzburg United, who escaped relegation last season by the skin of their teeth, at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.