The 2019/20 Absa Premiership campaign kicks off with a blockbuster Tshwane derby. SoccerClub writer DEAN WORKMAN has picked out five players to watch in the epic opener.

Rivaldo Coetzee

The defender turned holding midfielder has been deployed as the deep lying playmaker through out pre-season by Pitso Mosimane.

Coetzee has the ability to control the tempo of the game with his superb passing ability, while he also has the ability to read the game, allowing him to snuff out any danger from the midfielder.

Phakamani Mahlambi

The electric forward is entering his second season at Naturena looking to fulfil his potential under Mosimane.

Most of Sundowns attacking array spent the summer at the Africa Cup of Nations, while South Americans Emiliano Tade and Gaston Sirino are carrying injuries heading into the season.

This has opened the door for Mahlambi who will be eyeing a big season where he needs to stand up and produce the performances which caught the eye of Al Ahly.

With his raw pace and skill, the forward on his day can scare any defence and will be looking to do just that against Downs’ cross-town rivals.

Sibusiso Vilakazi

The Bafana Bafana forward suffered a big injury at the beginning of the last campaign which saw him miss a large portion of the season.

He, however, recovered for the end of the campaign and proved his fitness as he made Stuart Baxter’s Bafana squad for Afcon.

While he did feature in Egypt, Vilakazi will still be fresh due to his time off while he was injured. This will likely see him go straight into Mosimane’s starting line-up where his experience and know how will prove vital.

Ronwen Williams

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper enjoyed a stellar 2018/19 season where he won the Goalkeeper of the Year award.

The SuperSport keeper carried this form into the Afcon where he was solid throughout until a mistake against Nigeria in the quarterfinals sent his team packing.

The 27-year-old finally came of age last season and will be looking to produce a big display to kick off the new season and continue his rise in the South African game.

Teboho Mokoena

The 22-year-old central midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough season last year where he played 34 games across all competitions for SuperSport.

He was ever present at the heart of midfield and showed his ability to not only break downplays and control the tempo of the game but he also showed his eye for goal by winning back-to-back Goal of the Month awards with a couple of scintillating long range strikes.

Mokoena will look start off the new season by producing an all-round performance against the defending champions who will have to be wary about giving him space to shoot from range.