Old acquaintances will be renewed and new rivalries will no doubt be forged when the season opening MTN8 gets underway this week.

The action commences on Tuesday 4 August 2015, with the first two quarter-finals, followed by another two matches on Wednesday.

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Orlando Pirates v Ajax Cape Town - Orlando Stadium, 19:30

Ajax Cape Town return to the competition for the first time in five seasons after their fifth placed finish under coach Roger De Sa. De Sa now takes his young side into battle against at a ground he knows very well, having previously been head coach at Pirates, when current Sea Robbers boss Eric Tinkler was his number two.

The Buccaneers meanwhile will head into this game in full stride, the club having been involved in CAF Confederation Cup action during South African football’s off-season. Pirates will no doubt be determined to lay their hands on the MTN8 trophy this season after losing to long-time rivals Kaizer Chiefs in last season’s final.

Bidvest Wits v SuperSport United - Bidvest Stadium, 19H30

The Clever Boys will take part in the MTN8 for the third consecutive season after finishing in third place in the Absa Premiership at the end of the 2014/ 2015 season. Clever Boys coach Gavin Hunt will be up against his former club, SuperSport United, with whom he won three league titles.

While Hunt will be searching for his first win in the MTN8 competition, SuperSport manager Gordon Igesund has already won the competition twice (Pirates in 2000, Sundowns in 2007), although that was under previous sponsorships of the competition. SuperSport finished last season in sixth position on the league standings, while Igesund will be searching for his second piece of silverware with United after he guided them to victory in last season’s Telkom Knockout.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg Utd - FNB Stadium , 19:30

It will be another case of old friendships revisited when Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela leads his side into their first official fixture of the 2015/ 2016 season with an encounter against his former employers, Maritzburg United.

The Soweto side ended last season as Absa Premiership champions and will also be out to defend the MTN8 title which they win last season by beating Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the final.

It was Komphela who guided the Team of Choice to a first ever top eight finish, the KZN side having finished the 2014/ 2015 league season in eighth position, pipping Free State Stars to the last available MTN8 spot. When he decided to join AmaKhosi during the off-season, Maritzburg promoted assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi to the head coach position. Niceties will now have to be set aside as Ncikazi looks to try and plot victory against his former mentor.

Mamelodi Sundowns v Bloem Celtic - Loftus Stadium, 19H30

Last season Sundowns came into the MTN8 as champions, but were eliminated in the first match after losing to Platinum Stars. This time around Pitso Mosiman’s men go into the competition after a second placed position in last season’s Absa Premiership, while having ended last season on a high with victory in the Nedbank Cup.

Celtic, with Clinton Larsen the man at the helm, ended last season in seventh spot on the standings, a sixth consecutive top eight finish. The Free State side will be searching for their second top eight triumph after winning the competition 10 years ago. Phunya Sele Sele have made some significant signings, and Larsen will be hoping that the likes of Geoffrey Massa, Helder Pelembe, Lantshene Phalane and Vuyisile Wana can help inspire victory over the star-studded Sundowns outfit.