High-profile hopes for PSL

Tonight will mark the start of the Absa Premiership programme, with high expectations from the 16 top-flight clubs.

It is fitting that Bidvest Wits and Cape Town City will open the new campaign, pitting new kid on the coaching block, Benni McCarthy, against the club that is guided by Gavin Hunt, who handed the lad from the Cape Flats his big break in the game as a player.

Pity Hunt won’t be on the bench tonight due to his red card suspension but these are some of the storylines that add to the excitement in any league.

We hope McCarthy and highprofile acquisitions such as Steven Pienaar will attract new fans.

The PSL this week announced the renewal of the Premiership sponsorship and we hope their new innovation of the R1-million cash reward to one lucky fan at the end of the season will help bring bigger crowds to the game.

We welcome such initiatives but, while we anticipate a cracker of a season ahead of us, we expect the PSL bosses to also treat the new chapter with a fresher outlook.

Much as they make means to woo fans back to the stadiums, the league has the responsibility to guarantee safety at match venues, while disciplinary matters are not left to gather dust.

We are disappointed that there has been no finality to the chaos that marred the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns game at Loftus Stadium last season.

As much as the matter is still pending, we hope there won’t be repeats of fan violence so people will be keen to attend games.