PSL: MATSATSANTSA & STELLIES KICK OFF 2024 WITH A STALEMATE

Following delays to the resumption of The DSTV Premiership, the 2023/24 season recommenced in Pretoria on Friday as Supersport United hosted coastal side, Stellenbosch, in the first match league match of 2024. The pulsating encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, with Supersport United’s debutant, Keegan Allan, picking up a red card in the dying ambers of the game.

Coming into this match, Stellenbosch sat in 4^th place, with the aim of overtaking United, who were sitting in 3^rdplace. The result saw Matsatsantsa leap over Cape Town City by a single point, a Cape Town City side that travels to Gqeberha to take on Chippa United with the chance of reclaiming 2^nd place with a win this weekend. 

SHANDRE CAMPBELL ASSISTS GROBLER FOR THE OPENER

As it's become synonymous with Supersport United, they’re always a step ahead when it comes to developing the best talents in South Africa and once again, they’ve got it right with Shandre Campbell. The teenage sensation made news in the back end of 2023 when he scored a brace against Orlando Pirates to give his team a 3-1 win over the Sea Robbers.

Campbell provided his 3^rd DSTV Premiership assist of the season when Bradley Grobler pounced on a well delivered cross that rounded up a piece of great build-up play for Gavin Hunt’s men.  The goal marked Grobler’s 8^th goal in all competitions, making him the joint top goal scorer in the PSL with 7 goals.

After hitting the post a few times, Supersport United let their guard down as Stellenbosch sneaked in an equaliser through former Matsatsantsa player, Iqraam Rayners. The goal culminated from a throw-in that left United’s defence in tetters, before Rayners pounced on a loose ball to finish past Veteran stopper, Washington Arubi. The goal stood despite protest of a possible offside raised against Rayners, but the Stellies marksman was proved to be kept onside by Kegan Johannes.

As the game reached its dying ambers, debutant, Keegan Allan received 2 yellow cards within the last 10 minute of the game, which saw him take a slightly earlier shower than he would’ve wanted on his first game for the club following his unexpected January move from Moroka Swallows.

BUCS VISIT LOFTUS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LIFTING THE NEDBANK CUP TROPHY

The last time the Buccaneers made a trip to Loftus, they took on Sekhukhune United in the penultimate decider of the Nedbank Cup to conclude a well-deserved cup double last season.

Their next task under the Loftus lights, is arguably tougher than their last visit as they take on consistent table toppers, Mamelodi Sundowns. With Sundowns having had 8 of their preferred starting players representing Bafana Bafana in the latter stages of the AFCON tournament in Cote D’Ivoire, it’s very likely Thembinkosi Lorch will make a his first appearance in Sundowns colours against his former club with Themba Zwane and the likes likely to miss out on this clash.

However, Coach Rulani Mokwena has come out to state in his pre-match presser ahead of the big clash, that Lorch will have to earn his place in Downs' setup.  

“Lorch comes into the team and he knows he has to earn the right to play, He has to fight like everybody else has to fight for a place in this team and meritocracy is such an important part of my coaching principles and my way of thinking about life and how I see life”, said Mokwena.

The sold-out affair takes place at 8pm on Saturday night and it stands as the headliner to the curtain raiser weekend of the DSTV Premiership, as the recommencement of the 2023/24 season is officially underway!