South African PSL announces 2018/19 fixtures amid the Ndoro saga

Itumeleng Khune of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Jeremy Brockie of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Absa Premiership 2017/18 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg South Africa on 27 January 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jul 24, 2018. 11:09

The South African Premier Soccer League has announced fixtures for the highly anticipated 2018/19 Absa Premiership season despite the ongoing Tendai Ndoro saga.

On Monday, July 23 the league announced that the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns will open their title defence campaign against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, August 04 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

The league’s governing body also announced that Orlando Pirates will meet PSL returnees Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.

On the other hand, 2016/17 champions Bidvest Wits will welcome reigning Nedbank Cup champions Free State Stars at 18:00 (CAT).

Moreover, matches on Sunday afternoon will see Steve Komphela’s Bloemfontein Celtic battle it out against Chippa United whilst Maritzburg United meet Golden Arrows in Pietermaritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.

Although Ajax Cape Town announced they will interdict the start of the new PSL season, the league seems to think the fixture announcement means the Urban Warriors could think of planning for life in the National First Division.

The Ndoro saga resulted after the Zimbabwean striker played for the Buccaneers and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Faisaly before joining Ajax last season.

A number of clubs protested his use, but the case went to FIFA through the South African Football Association where SAFA later docked the club points to demote them to the NFD.

However, a decision by the South Gauteng High Court ruled that Ajax must be reinstated in the league and they have decided to interdict the start of the league whilst the PSL appealed the court’s decision.

Full opening-day fixtures:

Saturday, August 4

Mamelodi Sundowns v Kaizer Chiefs (15:00)

Bidvest Wits v Free State Stars (18:00)

Black Leopards v Polokwane City (18:00)

Cape Town City v SuperSport United (18:00)

Orlando Pirates v Highlands Park (20:15)

AmaZulu v Baroka (20:15)

Sunday, August 5

Bloemfontein Celtic v Chippa United (15:00)

Maritzburg United v Golden Arrows (15:00)