Kaizer Chiefs Return To The Venue Where They Suffered A 4-0 Thrashing At The Hands Of Yanga

We expect a bumper crowd at the sold out Toyota Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Marumo Gallants will look to capitalize on the psychological advantage of hosting Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership season opener at the venue they recently lost 4-0 at the hands of Yanga. The City is known to be football loving dating back to the days of Bloemfontein Celtic. Now that Marumo Gallants has moved base to utilize the stadium at their home ground they will have the backing of the city that has been starved of premiership football. Marumo Gallants acquired the franchise of Moroka Swallows in the offseason having been relegated to the Motsepe Championship in the 2022/23 Season so they have an experienced squad.

Players To Watch

Marumo Gallants acquired the services of speedy Zimbabwean forward Daniel Msendami who gave Orlando Pirates a hard time in the CAF Champions League last season whilst at Jwaneng Galaxy. We expect him to keep the Amakhosi backline on its toes. Marumo Gallants also welcomes back Goalkeeper Washington Arubi who has gone for 180mins in the recent AFCON qualifiers without conceding a goal facing the likes of Vincent Aboubakar and Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon.  He will look to shut out the Kaizer Chiefs frontline. Kaizer Chiefs acquired the services of Njabulo Blom on loan from St Louis City, Gaston Sirino on a free transfer from Mamelodi Sundowns . defender Miguel Inacio from Petro Atletico and goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari from TS Galaxy. Chiefs are going through a transition it will not be quick for all the new signings to gel with the team and with the new coach Mohamed Nabi it will also take time for him to impose his tactics on the team as evidenced by losses experienced during the preseason notably the 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Yanga at the same stadium. Gatson Sirino will want to prove that he still has fire left in him from his time at Sundowns where his playing time was limited and Blom will also look to rekindle the love of the Amakhosi fans. Miguel Inacio will look to bring stability to the Amakhosi backline with his experience playing in the CAF Champions League, and the international experience of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari will also come in handy.

Match Prediction

Draw 

Both teams have new coaches, and it is a match no one wants to lose. With good international goalkeepers on both sides, we expect a low-scoring match.