Marumo Gallants and Kaizer Chiefs have announced their starting line-ups for this afternoon’s Betway Premiership clash at Free State Stadium.
After spending one season in Motsepe Foundation Championship, Gallants have found their way back to the top flight by buying Moroka Swallows’ status. This afternoon they kickstart their season against Amakhosi at a sold-out stadium.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa are led by experienced Dan Malesela who has seen it all in South African football. Gallants will be playing in front of their Bloemfontein supporters for the first time this season.
Chiefs’ new life under Nasreddine Nabi begins this afternoon as the hunt for glory days started. After finishing outside the top eight last term, Amakhosi look to do better this season under a completely new technical team.
Both sides had a long pre-season under different circumstances, with Nabi taking his team to Turkey to get to know his players, while Malesela had to turn two full squads – the old Gallants and the old Swallows – into one team.
Here is how they line up:
Gallants XI: Arubi, Malongoane, Rikhotso, Mathiane, Mabotja, Manaka, Mhludhlu, Mlambo, Sithole, Mahlatsi, Mhango.
Subs: Akpeti, Nhalpo, Chabatsane, Nange, Mokobodi, Wagaba, Msendami, Mphamabaniso, Shai.
Chiefs XI: Ntwari, Frosler, Miguel, Dortley, Cross, Zwane, Maart, Shabalala, Sirino, Saile, Chivaviro
Subs: Bvuma, Msimango, Jansen, Mashiane, Castillo, Vilakazi, Ngcobo, Du Preez, Duba
