The month-long famine for local football will be a thing of the past when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) returns to action tomorrow after the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tonight.
The Betway Premiership had been put on hold to accommodate the Afcon tournament, which took place in Morocco from December 19.
The final between Senegal and hosts Morocco will be played tonight in Rabat.
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are taking a lot of heat from the swashbuckling Orlando Pirates, will get things underway when they play against struggling newbies Orbit College FC at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium tomorrow night at 7.30pm.
Sundowns are sitting at number two on the log table, with the Buccaneers in pole position with a game in hand.
The Brazilians will be looking to reclaim their lead with a comprehensive spanking of the new kids on the block.
During the Afcon break, Sundowns made their intentions clear in the transfer market.
They beefed up their star-studded team with the blockbuster acquisition of former Bucs star Monnapule Saleng, Colombian forward Brayan Leon, and Bafana Bafana star Khulumani Ndamani, who was playing for TS Galaxy.
Born in Turbaco, Leon made his debut for Deportivo Pereira in 2021 and helped the club to the 2022 Colombian championship as they edged out his current side, Independiente Medellín. He is expected to add more firepower to the Brazilians, who have not been as clinical as they are known to be.
It will be the first time that Sundowns face Orbit, and Saleng will be driven to prove a point against the team that took him on loan at the beginning of the season.
During his frustrating spell with Pirates, Saleng was loaned to Orbit, where he scored two goals for the North-West outfit.
In other mouthwatering clashes, Kaizer Chiefs will host Golden Arrows at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.
Amakhosi will be looking to get back to winning ways after playing four matches without a single win in the league and in the CAF Confederation Cup. Their last victory was on November 4, when they hammered the same Orbit 4-1.
Chiefs are still very much in the running for the league honours, and a victory will boost their confidence. They will be buoyed by the fact that they did not have players at Afcon, meaning that the coaches had their full squad to prepare the team.
The unity and cohesion should be at the highest when their league programme resumes.
Other fixtures this week:
Tuesday, January 20:
Sekhukhune United v Stellenbosch FC
Wednesday, January 21:
TS Galaxy v Marumo Galants
Friday, January 23:
Richards Bay United v Siwelele FC
Saturday, January 24:
Orbit College v Chippa United
Sekhukhune United v Orlando Pirates
