Orlando Pirates to kick off Betway Premiership season at HOME

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates will kick off their Betway Premiership campaign at home on Saturday, 14 September.

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro Betway Premirship

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro. Image: BackpagePix

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates will kick off their Betway Premiership campaign at home against Chippa United on Saturday, 14 September.

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The clash at the Orlando Stadium will start at 17:30.

The Buccaneers are coming off a memorable 2023/2024 season in which they finished second and booked their spot in the CAF Champions League in the upcoming season.

They also secured a lucrative MTN8 spot.

In other first weekend matches that stand out, defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will host SuperSport United in battle for Tshwane bragging rights, while Kaizer Chiefs will be on the road against Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein.

Start date confirmed

Soccer fans will no doubt have been left puzzled as to why the fixtures for the opening weekend haven’t yet been released considering the new season ‘always’ starts in mid-August.

However, with leading South African bookmakers Betway only having come on board as the new official league sponsors in recent weeks, it’s understandable that there would need to be a delay in kicking off the new season.

As reported by The South African website, Betway has taken over as league sponsors from financially-struggling DStv.

A little bird has whispered to The South African soccer team that the new league season will kick off on the weekend of 14/15 September with the following eight matches:

SATURDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER

Royal AM vs Cape Town City FC – 15:00

Mamelodi Sundowns vs SuperSport United – 15:00

Marumo Gallants vs Kaizer Chiefs – 17:30

Orlando Pirates vs Chippa United – 17:30

Polokwane City vs AmaZulu – 20:00

Sekhukhune United vs Magesi FC – 20:00

SUNDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER

Richards Bay vs TS Galaxy – 15:00

Stellenbosch FC vs Golden Arrows – 17:30

Sure thing?

Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns will win a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title in the 2024/2025 season – if the official sponsors of the league are to be believed.

Should Masandawana defend their title, it will be their 15th overall title since the professional era kicked off in the 1996/1997 season.

This despite the fact the Tshwane giants said goodbye to their coach Rulani Mokwena pre-season.

For context, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are next best with four titles apiece.

Betway have installed Mamelodi Sundowns as 1/20 favourites for this season’s title.

Orlando Pirates (69/5) follow next, with Stellenbosch FC on offer at 69/5.

Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City FC can both be backed at 247/10.

In terms of the expected relegation battle, it’s forecast to be a three-team battle between Chippa United, Marumo Gallants and Richards Bay, who are all quoted at 999/1.