Finally! The 2025/25 South African top-flight football is here, with clubs ready to battle for glory depending on their ability and quality within their squads.
This weekend, eight teams will be in action in the MTN8 quarter-finals; on Saturday, the defending champions Orlando Pirates will play Polokwane City, before Sekhukhune United entertain TS Galaxy.
On Sunday, July 3, Stellenbosch will host AmaZulu before paving the way for the Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a date with Richards Bay. It is promising to be a tough assignment for the aforemetioned teams.
However, one big team will be missing, Kaizer Chiefs! The Glamour Boys failed to qualify following their eighth-place finish in the 2024/25 PSL edition. So what does their absence mean?
No Chiefs frenzy!
Kaizer Chiefs supporters are known for their passion when their team is in action. They can easily change the mood at any venue and make people anticipate their game regardless of the opponent they are playing against.
That liveliness before, during, and after the game is unmatched! The football lovers in Mzansi will surely miss this.
Fans denied an opportunity to watch new signings
Amakhosi have signed six players in preparation for the new season. Flavio Silva (Persebaya Surabaya, Indonesia), Ethan Chislett (Port Vale, England), Nkanyiso Shinga (FC Alverce, Portugal), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), and Siphesihle Ndlovu (SuperSport United) are the new faces at the club.
Mako is the only one who did not feature in pre-season owing to a hand injury. By virtue of failing to qualify for MTN8, Amakhosi fans will wait longer to see the players in a competitive environment.
Missed revenue
Well, we can all agree that Chiefs fans attend matches in thousands to cheer their team. That means the organisers also get returns through the tickets which helps them make profit and meet other obligations.
By Chiefs missing out, it means millions will not be made, which is a loss to the MTN8 .
No chance for the Soweto Derby
The Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates attracts millions not only in Mzansi but Africa at large since it is one of the highly anticipated derbies in the continent.
What it basically means, the fans have no chance of witnessing the rivalry between the traditional foes.
