League back with a bang

FOUR DERBIES ON THE MENU FOR OPENING WEEKEND’S ACTION Time has come for title contenders to do their talking on the field.

The wait is over. The Absa Premiership kicks off this afternoon and opening weekend has some interesting fixtures which includes four provincial derbies. Three will be played today and one more tomorrow.

When the fixtures were released just over a week ago, there was immediate excitement with fans anticipating scintillating football from the first whistle.

A full house is expected at Loftus Stadium this afternoon where defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns host Kaizer Chiefs in a Gauteng derby which has attracted even the attention of the politicians. The fixture has pitted Johannesburg against Tshwane and the mayors of the two cities have taken a bet that whoever loses will buy DA leader Mmusi Maimane a gift.

At the same time, at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Black Leopards will play their first Premiership match in five years when they host Limpopo neighbours Polokwane City. Both have been flying under the radar during the pre-season and avoided each other in a recent four-team tournament at the same venue.

City – who were involved in a relegation battle last season – have a new coach and it will be interesting to see how he has changed things. Leopards supporters will be looking for signs that their team will swim and not sink again out of the top flight as has happened before.

Another provincial derby will take place at Orlando Stadium this evening where Orlando Pirates host Premiership returnees Highlands Park in a match set to produce some fireworks. Owen Da Gama has made it clear that his team are not in this division for a short visit this time around. Micho Sredojevic has also been waxing lyrical about how he is like a chef who is cooking a surprise dish for his guests.

And after a barren four years, the Ghost will be like hungry guests who expect an appetising yet fulfilling meal this season.

The derbies continue tomorrow when last season’s surprise team Maritzburg United host KwaZulu-Natal rivals Golden Ar- rows at Harry Gwala Stadium. The rivalry between the two sides has gotten bitter over the years and none want to lose this fixture.

Maritzburg’s new captain Siyanda Xulu said they want to elevate from what they achieved last season. “It is not going to be easy. Looking at what we achieved last season, we need to elevate. I don’t want to put ourselves under pressure but I think silverware will do it for us,” he said.

Also see Page 46

Today:

Sundowns v Chiefs; Leopards v Polokwane; Cape Town City v SuperSport United; Orlando Pirates v Highlands; AmaZulu v Baroka FC.

Tomorrow:

Maritzburg v Arrows; Celtic v Chippa