All you need to know ahead of the Premier League season

KICK-OFF

The new Premiership League season does not begin before mid-September, the latest ever start since the new-look Premier Soccer League began in 1996 with the season changed from inside the calendar year to the August-May model followed by most footballing nations.

A new sponsor has dictated the delay, allowing Betway time to get its campaign off the ground after the deal was signed last month.

It means half of the clubs in the top flight – those not participating in the MTN8 – have extended preparation time, the impact of which will be interesting to observe come the business end of the campaign.

The first league game are slated for Saturday, 14 September.

TRANSFER WINDOW

Usually the transfer window closes on the last working day of August but this year it will close on 20 September

The PSL had planned this extension already before the delayed start to the league was announced, and clubs will be grateful for the added three week opportunity to fine tune their squad and make additions where necessary.

There is always a late scramble to sign players in the last week before the deadline.

FIXTURES

The final fixture list is still to be issued one month before the kick off of the league but preliminary fixtures have champions Mamelodi Sundowns starting the defence of their crown at home to SuperSport United in a Tshwane derby but this will not happen because Sundowns begin their African Champions League campaign that weekend.

Orlando Pirates, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch could also all be involved in continental club competition games that weekend which means only four leagues game will be played on the opening weekend.

RECORD BREAKERS

Sundowns have already set all manner of records with their dominant run in the domestic game and are looking to make it eight titles in a row, plus a record extending 18th title overall, already way ahead of Kaizer Chiefs, who have won the championship 12 times.

AmaKhosi have gone nine seasons now without a trophy since their league success in 2015, handing new coach Nasreddine Nabi more pressure to achieve in what is commonly held to be the hottest seat in South African sport.

NEW BOYS

Magesi will be playing in the top flight for the first time and although they look to have an inexperienced squad, they do have a wily coach in Clinton Larsen, who knows the rigours of the Premiership all too well.

The club add to the Limpopo representation in the league.

Last season Polokwane City won promotion and did not add much to their roster, leading to the assumption they would struggle. But they surprised all and sundry by finishing eighth.