A chance to test depth for KZN teams

This year's Premier's Cup features AmaZulu, Durban City, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Richards Bay, Milford and PMB-based Midlands Wanderers

1 hour ago

Jerry Barnes 1 minute read

File image. Photo: Pexels — A soccer ball. Photo: Pexels

Six KwaZulu-Natal clubs will fine-tune their preparations for the new football season when they compete in this weekend’s annual KZN Premier’s Cup.

The pre-season tournament offers coaches a valuable opportunity to assess new signings, test combinations and experiment with tactics before competitive action gets under way.

The 2026/27 Betway Premiership season kicks off on August 1, followed by the Motsepe Foundation Championship on August 8, the MTN8 on August 21 and the DStv Diski Challenge on September 5.

ALSO READ | NFD newcomers Wanderers gear up for KZN Premier’s Cup competition

This year’s Premier’s Cup features AmaZulu, Durban City, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Richards Bay, Milford and Pietermaritzburg-based Midlands Wanderers.

The two-day tournament starts tomorrow at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, with the final scheduled for Sunday at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.

Richards Bay are the defending champions after lifting the trophy last year. Previous winners include Royal AM (2022 and 2024) and AmaZulu (2023).

Midlands Wanderers are the only Motsepe Foundation Championship side in the tournament, with the remaining teams coming from the Betway Premiership.

ALSO READ | KZN Premier’s Cup fixtures announced

Wanderers founder and head coach Vincent “Masenti” Myeni welcomed the opportunity to compete against top-flight opposition.

“We are honoured to be part of this prestigious tournament. Although it is a pre-season competition, it is extremely important because it allows us to test ourselves against PSL clubs.

“It also gives coaches the chance to assess new players and try different tactical approaches before the season begins,” said Myeni. “We expect the tournament to sharpen us ahead of the new campaign.”

Wanderers have strengthened their squad with the signings of Ndumiso Ngiba, Sonwabo Khumalo, Sane Radebe, Bayanda Zulu and Jabulani Mokone, all of whom could feature during the tournament.

ALSO READ | High expectations for local NFD team Wanderers

KZN Premier’s Cup Fixtures

Clermont’s Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium

Day 1: Tomorrow
Lamontville Golden Arrows v Milford (10 am)
Durban City c Richards Bay (1 pm)
AmaZulu v Midlands Wanderers (4 pm).

KwaMashu’s Princess Magogo Stadium

Day 2: Sunday
Semi-final 2 (10 am)
Final (2 pm).

1 hour ago

Jerry Barnes 1 minute read

Jerry Barnes

Jerry Barnes has been a dedicated sports journalist since 1992, bringing more than 30 years of experience to the field. He writes both sports news stories and opinion columns, and is widely regarded as a veteran in the industry. Well-travelled and deeply immersed in the world of sport, Barnes is also a former semi-professional soccer player and athlete. He began his career at The Witness in 1992 and has also written for several national daily and weekly newspapers, including Sunday Sun and Daily Sun (Media24), where he was based in Johannesburg for eight years. Throughout his career, Barnes has covered a wide range of major sporting events—international, national, provincial, and regional. These include the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Banyana Banyana fixtures, Netball South Africa’s Proteas matches, Athletics South Africa events, and Boxing South Africa bouts. His work has appeared in numerous prominent publications such as Sowetan, City Press, Kick-Off, The Citizen, Comrades Marathon Magazine, Ilanga, and uMafrika.