A chance for fans to check out the new acquisitions

Football fans who have been longing for some local action will be delighted to see Kaizer Chiefs, Platinum Stars, Free State Stars and Botswanan side Township Rollers in action for the third edition of the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney on Saturday.

The pre-season tournament offers clubs a chance to look at their new signings.

The Glamour Boys will take on invitation side Township Rollers in the first semifinal, which will be followed by a Platinum Stars and Free State Stars clash in the second semifinal.

Amakhosi and Rollers last met during the Caf Champions League preliminary round game two years ago. The Soweto giants won 3-1 on aggregate.

Chiefs won the first leg 2-1 at the FNB Stadium, which was followed by a 1-0 win in Gaborone in the second leg.

There is no doubt that Amakhosi will go into this game as favourites looking at the two teams’ history. Itumeleng Khune, Eric Mathoho, Tsepo Masilela, George Maluleke, George Lebese Willard Katsande, Sphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker are some of the current players at Chiefs, who played a part during the two-leg meeting with Rollers back then.

Like Chiefs, while many of the Botswana-based team last played Chiefs two years ago, their new signing Tsepo Matete played against the Steve Komphela-coached side during the Fame Charity Cup final in August last year while he was still at Baroka FC, winning 3-0 on penalties after a goalless stalemate.

For Chiefs fans, this will be a perfect opportunity for the clubs supporters to take a look at their new signings in Philani Zulu, Teenage Hadebe and Bongolethu Jayiya.

Meanwhile, two new coaches – Peter Butler of Dikwena and Ea Lla Koto’s Sammy Troughton – will go head-to-head in the second semifinal.