Nkosenhle Sibisi and Thakasani Khumalo

The MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) is coming back with a new style and some few changes. This was announced at the season’s opener press conference which took place at The Workshop Shopping Center, in Durban on Wednesday morning.

The MDC 2019/20 season is expected to bring changes such as the age restrictions and the number of games to be played. For the past five seasons, the MDC age restriction was strictly under 23 and now it has been amended to under 21. The number of games has been doubled from 15 to 30 games with a ‘home’ and ‘away’ style.

Amazulu MDC coach, Ayanda Dlamini, said that the extension of the MDC games is good even though it will put a lot of pressure to the boys.

“30 games this season will give the boys a chance to gain experience and also be physically fit enough,” he said.

The press conferences was attended by coaches of the participating teams such as the defending champions Bloemfontein Celtic, Lamontville Golden Arrows, MaritzburgUnited and Amazulu FC

Lamontville Golden Arrows development coach, Vusumuzi Vilakazi, said that he is pleased with the new changes brought.

“Our primary job is to generate players, we are happy to see players being promoted to the first teams, because this means that we have to go back and find new talent,” said Vilakazi.

This development soccer challenge, which is a 16-team development has produced some of the best players in South Africa, such as Siyabonga Ngezana, Tshegofatso Mabasa and the former Mamelodi Sundowns player, Percy Tau who now plays for the Club Brugge KV in Belgium.

The first matches of the season will kick-off on Friday, 09 August 2019.

All MultiChoice Diski Challenge Opening fixtures for the 2019/20 season: 

Friday, 09 August 2019

Stellenbosch FC VS Chippa United, Idas valley Sports Ground at 10:00 am

Bloemfontein Celtic VS Mamelodi Sundowns, King Zwelithini Stadium at 12:00 pm

AmaZulu FC VS Orlando Pirates FC, King ZwelithiniStadium at 15:00 pm

Saturday, 10 August 2019

Black Leopards VS Cape Town City FC, Thohoyandou Stadium at 10:00 am 

Maritzburg United VS SuperSports United, King ZwelithiniStadium at 10:00 am

Golden Arrows VS Kaizer Chiefs, King Zwelithini Stadium at 12:00 pm

Sunday, 11 August 2019

Polokwane City VS Bidvest Wits, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium at 10:00 am

Highlands Park VS Baroka Fc, Makhulong Stadium at 12:00 pm

Picture: Nkosenhle Sibisi