The Marumo Gallants captain Edger Manaka, said they are locked and loaded ahead of their Premier Soccer league campaign opener against Kaizer Chiefs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The league will finally get underway following a month-long delay and the excitement is mounting, so much so, that a sold-out crowd is expected for the season opener for Gallants and Chiefs.

Edgar Manaka. Picture: Morgan Piek

Gallants will welcome the Soweto giants to Bloemfontein and the word in the street is that it will be a sell-out tomorrow.

Chiefs are under some pressure heading into the game following a less-than-desirable preseason, while Gallants aim to win the hearts and minds of the Siwelele faithful.

Manaka, one of the seasoned campaigners in the Gallants squad, told OFM Sport they want to draw on the crowd’s energy and the support will mean the world to them.

“It’s important for most of us as the players to experience full crowds,” said Manaka. “It’s exciting and everyone is looking forward to expressing themselves in front of the Siwelele base.

“I think we are going to see fireworks because it is very motivating for the young players and also for those with more experience.”

The Gallants coach and legendary former Orlando Pirates captain, Dan Malesela, in turn said it’s important to have top-flight football back in the city and the Free State, and they have to win the hearts and minds of the supporters.

“It’s very key because it’s more like Kaizer Chiefs because if football dies here a big portion of the South African support is gone,” said Malesela. “The evidence was with the last game that was played by the national team here. Obviously in the past we could see the turnout here was always good. So, we will be denying the people in the region an opportunity to enjoy football if we don't do well.

“That's exactly what we want - we want the people to enjoy football. Not only enjoy the results, but enjoy the football as well.”

Saturday's season opener between Gallants and the Amakhosi at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg