The new South African soccer season is set to kick off this weekend with league action followed by cup football. Fourteen of the sixteen clubs in the Premiership will start their campaigns on Saturday, but only Mamelodi Sundowns face a delay due to the passing of midfielder Jayden Adams and their pre-season camp in Austria.
William Shongwe, former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper and now an expert analyst for FORBES AFRICA, is optimistic about this season. He notes that while Orlando Pirates' victory last year was exciting, he doesn't see a two-horse race between Sundowns and Chiefs again. Instead, he predicts more teams will compete for honors.
Shongwe highlights the potential of AmaZulu and Sekhukhune as contenders. 'They have a good group of players,' Shongwe says, 'no real stars, but they are very energetic.' AmaZulu's campaign begins on Saturday night against Kruger United, who won the second-tier title last season.
Kaizer Chiefs, now under French coach Fernando Da Cruz, will also be in contention. 'They have a good group of players,' Shongwe adds, suggesting this could be their season. However, he notes that Sundowns might still pose a significant challenge as they look to regain their title after last year's loss.
The absence of a mid-campaign break due to African club competitions might impact teams like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, who are also competing in Africa. 'I can’t see it being a factor,' Shongwe concludes, believing that the teams have enough experience to manage both fronts effectively.
