Capacity crowd to savour epic showdown between Stellies and Chiefs

KAIZER Chiefs will head to the Western Cape to launch their 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign against Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium tomorrow (5.30pm kickoff).

- HERMAN GIBBS

This game marks the beginning of Chiefs' 56th season in South Africa's top-flight football, having first competed at the highest level in 1971.

It also represents their 30th league campaign in the PSL era, which began in the 1996/97 season.

On Thursday, the PSL announced that tickets had sold out. This game marks the first time since the inaugural PSL season that Chiefs open a league campaign in the Western Cape.

The only other time they faced a team from the province in a season opener was in 2009/10, when they played to a goalless draw against Santos.

However, Amakhosi head coach Nasreddine Nabi will not be travelling with the team for their opening match.

The decision follows a serious accident involving his wife at their home in Tunisia, prompting the coach to urgently return to his home country to support his family during this critical time.

Across their 29 opening league matches since 1996, Chiefs have won 16, drawn eight, and lost five.

This weekend's clash will also mark their 20th time starting a PSL campaign away from home.

In the previous 19 away openers, they've won 11, drawn six, and lost just twice.