GladAfrica Championship kicks off live on SS

In less than 24 hours, the opening fixture of what promises to be an exciting 2019/20 GladAfrica Championship season will kick-off.

With the 2019-20 campaign now boasting a brand new title sponsor in GladAfrica, and extra incentive of an increase in prize money, a riveting season lies ahead for the 16 clubs and the supporters from their local communities.

There will be no shortage of festivities around the country on Saturday, as two former Absa Premiership sides do battle in the Cape, with derby action also scheduled for Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Provinces.

The first game to be televised for the season will be on Sunday when TS Galaxy hosts Jomo Cosmos at Kameelrivier Stadium.

This fixture will kick-off at 13h00 – a new television weekend time for #GladAfricaChampionship.

Other fixtures:

Real Kings v Uthongathi – Mpumalanga Stadium [15H00]

In an interesting twist, Hammarsdale will play host to a KZN-derby, with Real Kings hoping a change in venue will bring about a change in fortune – as they gun for their first win against the Tongaat’s Cane Cutters.

Kings narrowly survived relegation last season.

Tshakhuma TM v Cape Umoya United - Thohoyandou Stadium [15H00]

Ambitious promotion hopefuls Tshakhuma will look for a perfect start to the new campaign in GladAfrica Championship after last season’s play-off finish.

This weekend they host a Cape Umoya United – a side who are yet to taste victory in the Limpopo Province.

Tshakhuma were the dark horses in 2018/19 season and finished third respectively.

Maccabi FC v TS Sporting - Dobsonville Stadium [15H00]

Just two points separated these two sides last season in what were their respective maiden campaigns, with Maccabi finishing the season in 11th position, while TS ended 2018-19 campaign in ninth on the log.

Sporting had an interesting start to the previous season – their first season – but on their second season now, they are no longer a surprise package to many teams.

Ajax Cape Town v Free State Stars – Athlone Stadium [15H00]

Old foes do battle as the Urban Warriors host Ea Lla Koto, an action-filled afternoon awaits with “Operation Promotion” top of both sides agendas.

In the final weeks of last season, Ajax Cape Town looked bound for a promotion play-off spot but they hit serious turbulances which saw them finish outside a play-off bracket.

They face a Free State Stars team that is still hurting following their relegation from the Absa Premiership last season.

This must be one of the biggest fixtures this coming weekend.

TS Galaxy v Jomo Cosmos - Kameelrivier Stadium [13H00]

Among the highlights of Sunday’s action is the game which sees current Nedbank Cup Champions TS Galaxy hosting Jomo Cosmos in the weekend’s live televised match scheduled for 13H00, at the Kameelrivier Stadium in Mpumalanga.

TS Galaxy made their intentions clear last season but they face a Jomo Cosmos side that is also trying to turn the corner following a difficult campaign last season.

Royal Eagles v Mbombela United - Chatsworth Stadium [15H00]

Last season’s NFD runners up Royal Eagles will look to go one better than last season’s play-off spot, and they start off by squaring off against a team whom are no strangers to the leading pack in Mbombela United.

Pretoria University v Steenberg United - Absa Tuks Stadium [15H00]

AmaTuks will want to ensure there’s no repeat of last season when they found themselves one point above the relegation zone.

They host GladAfrica Championship rookies Steenberg United - who will be out to hit the ground running.

Richards Bay v JDR Stars - Umhlathuze Sports Complex [15H00]

The ‘Natal Rich Boyz’, as Richards Bay is fondly known, will be going for the maximum when they lock horns against newbies and ABC Motsepe National Champions JDR Stars - in could be a baptism of fire down in KZN.