Matsatsantsa a PITORI

KEY PLAYER

He is lethal, and no wonder rival clubs, those with deep pockets at least, always seem to consider Brockie as an option when they think about beefing up their front line. Matsatsantsa have done well to hold on to the ‘sniper’, much to the delight of new coach Eric Tinkler, who is already gloating about how sharp his marksman has looked in pre-season. This could be a season in which he finally goes all out for the Golden Boot. August 19: v Sundowns @ Lucas Moripe Stadium, 3pm 23: v Chiefs @ FNB Stadium, 7.30pm September 13: v Plat Stars @ Lucas Moripe, 7.30pm 20: v Chippa @ Lucas Moripe, 7.30pm 30: v AmaZulu @ Lucas Moripe, 8:15pm October 17: v Wits @ BidvestStadium, 7.30pm 27: v Maritzburg @ Harry Gwala, 8pm 31: v Arrows @ Mbombela Stadium, 7.30pm November 22: v Ajax @ Mbombela, 7.30pm 25: v Polokwane City @ Mbombela, 3.30pm December 5: v Pirates @ Orlando Stadium, 7.30pm 9: v CT City @ Mbombela, 3.30pm 13: v FS Stars @ Goble Park, 7.30pm 17: v Baroka @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3.30pm 20: v Celtic @ Dr Molemela Stadium, 7.30pm January 6: v Chiefs @ Mbombela, 6pm 14: v Arrows @ Princess Magogo Stadium, 3.30pm 20: v AmaZulu @ King Zwelithini Stadium, 8:15pm 27: v Wits @ Lucas Moripe, 8:15pm February 3: v Celtic @ Lucas Moripe, 3.30pm 20: v Plat Stars @ Royal Bafokeng, 7.30pm 24: v Sundowns @ Loftus, 3.30pm March 3: v Maritzburg @ Lucas Moripe, 6pm 16: v Ajax @ Cape Town Stadium, 8pm April 4: v Polokwane @ Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, 7.30pm 7: v Pirates @ Mbombela, 6pm 13: v CT City @ Athlone Stadium, 8pm 25: v FS Stars @ Lucas Moripe, 7.30pm May 09: v Chippa @ Nelson Mandela Bay, 7.30pm 12: v Baroka @ Lucas Moripe, 3pm v Plat Stars @ Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace, 3pm v Chiefs @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm v AmaZulu @ Lucas Moripe Stadium, 8.15pm COACH Africa’s Coach-of- the-Year has turned Sundowns into a mean machine with ambitions beyond wanting to do well domestically. With his obsessive planning, Mosimane is able to dissect every team to the minutest detail. His technical team’s strength will be tested after the departure of his second assistant, Rhulani Mokwena. STRENGTHS They’ve gained valuable experience with their exploits in continental competition and will use it in their quest to regain the league title they lost to Wits. They have added to their depth with big-name signings such as Ghanaian goalkeeper Razak Brimah, George Lebese from Chiefs as well as Pirates’ Oupa Manyisa. WEAKNESSES They go into their third season without a break thanks to their continental success. The physical effects have not been evident but mental fatigue has often crept in to see them fail to kill off matches. Also, given they use a regular starting team, they have become known by opponents. GOOD SEASON The Brazilians have become a global team with ambitions that go beyond local and continental borders. As much as last season was a disappointment domestically, their Caf Champions and Super Cup crowns made up for it. They’ll be happy to win the Premiership and have a good Champions League run. BAD SEASON Another failure to win the league and losing their continental title on the back of last season’s inability to pick up any silverware on the domestic front could see Mosimane’s tenure as coach under threat.

v Pirates @ Orlando Stadium, 7.30pm

v Wits @ Bidvest Stadium, 7.30pm

v Chippa @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, 3.30pm

v Baroka @ Lucas Moripe Stadium, 7.30pm

v Arrows @ Princess Magogo Stadium, 3.30pm

v Maritzburg @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm

v Celtic @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 3.30pm

v CT City @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm v Polokwane @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3.30pm v Pirates @ Loftus Versfeld, 3.30pm v Plat Stars @ Loftus Versfeld, 6pm v Chiefs @ FNB, 3.30pm

v CT City @ Cape Town Stadium, 8pm

v FS Stars @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm

v SuperSport @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm March

v AmaZulu @ King Zwelithini Stadium, 8.15pm

v Wits @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 3.30pm v Chippa @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm v Baroka @ Peter Mokaba Stadium, 3pm v Arrows @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 3pm v Maritzburg @ Harry Gwala Stadium, 7.30pm

Ajax @ Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 7.30pm 12: v Celtic @ Dr Molemela Stadium, 3pm