Provisional PSL fixtures released

Cape Town - With the 2016/17 Absa Premiership about to get underway in a matter of weeks, a provisional set of fixtures suggests that both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs face a potentially tricky start in the opening weeks of the new season.

Both clubs are in the process of rebuilding after failing to win silverware in 2015/16. Bucs' failure to win a trophy despite a good run in the domestic and continental cup competitions saw Eric Tinkler depart for the newly established Cape Town City. His replacement, Muhsin Ertugral, has been tasked with bringing the glory days back to the Happy People.

Chiefs also largely endured a season to forget despite reaching two cup finals under Steve Komphela. The failure to win either contest or challenge for the league title heaped pressure on Komphela, who has since helped oversee a major squad overhaul.

Chiefs are provisionally scheduled to face Wits away in their opening match on August 23 - the 2015/16 Absa Premiership runners-up are a real force at home under Gavin Hunt and certainly won't lack for motivation.

Meanwhile, Pirates have a seemingly easier contest against Golden Arrows at home on August 24. That said, three days later they face the Clever Boys in the MTN8 before a testing PSL away fixture against Ajax Cape Town on September 9.

The PSL are expected to officially announce dates and times for the full calendar of fixtures for the entire league in the near future.