Teams affiliated to the National First Division League (NFD) are bracing themselves for the start of the new season. A full fixture list for the league matches was released last Thursday.

Black Leopards will commence their league programme by paying a visit to Roses United at the Botshabelo Stadium. When asked about their level of readiness for the new season, the head coach of Black Leopards, Mr Kostadin Papic, indicated that his charges were ready for a new life in the NFD. Black Leopards were relegated to the NFD at the end of last season after campaigning in the Absa Premiership Division for two seasons.

The opening matches of the new season will be played over the last weekend of this month. The newly promoted Baroka FC will play their first NFD League match in front of their home crowd. They will host Sevutsa Stars at the Seshego Stadium. Jomo Cosmos, who narrowly escaped relegation last season, will entertain United FC at the Makhulong Stadium.

The opening matches will see two Cape Town derbies. FC Cape Town and Milano United will test each other’s strength at the NNK Rugby Stadium, while Santos and Vasco da Gama will battle it out at the Athlone Stadium. Blackburn Rovers and Chippa United will rub shoulders at the Bethlehem Stadium.

Thanda Royal Zulu, who missed promotion by a whisker, will pay a visit to Witbank Spurs at the Themba Senamela Stadium. The other  NFD rookies, Maluti FET College, will fight for points against their neighbours, African Warriors.