The PSL has announced a change of venue for the match between Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC set for Sunday, 10 August.
The two were scheduled to battle at DHL Stadium, but will now be moved to Athlone Stadium. Other details, such as kick-off time and ticket prices, were not affected by the change.
Chiefs are heading to this match on the back of a busy pre-season, where they spent about two weeks in the Netherlands with their new signings and engaged in several friendly matches.
Nasreddine Nabi, who is the coach of Amakhosi, acknowledged that this will be a challenging fixture despite the odds being on their side, having managed to not succumb to defeat by Stellies in a league match since the 2021/22 season.
“We are very grateful to management that have allowed us to have a wonderful preseason. It’s been in three steps. The first two weeks in Naturena to put the players back in conditions. The second step in Netherlands with the fitness work and with a lot of friendly games,” he said to the media during the Betway Premiership launch.
“Now it’s the last step and going forward to this game against Stellenbosch, we have to adjust the last combinations as you said, cross the T’s and the I’s and be ready for this big game because we know Stellenbosch is not going to be an easy opponent but we are excited and we go with confidence to get a positive result this coming Sunday,” he concluded.
The Maroons coach said he is aware of what to expect in this match, as Chiefs’ friendlies were made public.
“It is the first game of the season and there will be a lot of anticipation from our fans and Chiefs’ fans. We expect the stadium will be full. The players will be really motivated,” he said.
“Chiefs have also had a lot of exposure. We saw their friendlies in pre-season. If we were playing Marumo Gallants or Siwelele we might be a bit in the dark. With Chiefs we have more knowledge of how they do things and how they want to play,” Barker concluded.
