Sunday Chidzambga will hope for a winning start to his tenure as Free State Stars coach with the visit of Santos in their season opener on Saturday.
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Stars are 11/4 to beat Santos with Sky Bet
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Ea Lla Koto, who drew an astounding 16 games to finish 13th last term, will host the Capetonians at Botshabelo Stadium and may struggle after changing coaches and losing a number of key players in the off-season.
Club captain and influential defender, Duncan Lechesa, has retired and is now mentoring Stars' sister club Carara Kicks.
Highly-rated left-back Ruben Cloete has left for Orlando Pirates while towering Bafana hitman Sthembiso Ngcobo is now leading the line for Kaizer Chiefs.
Midfielder Sthembiso Dlamini, who only joined Stars from AmaZulu two months' ago, has also reportedly been released after allegations of ill-discipline.
They have, however, enlisted the services of Congolese defender Dikilu Bageta from Maritzburg United.
Chidzambga, who replaced Gordon Igesund, can expect to face a motivated Santos, as the People's Team exited the MTN8 last weekend at the hands of Pirates.
The coastal outfit impressed with their fourth-place finish last campaign and have retained largely the same squad, with skipper Mogogi Gabonamong, Wayne Arendse and exciting striker Erwin Isaacs expected to shine yet again.
Club coach Boebie Solomons will be sweating on the availability of recent additions Malawi captain Peter Mponda (Black Leopards) and Malian striker Sekou Camara (on loan from Jomo Cosmos).
Both players missed the Pirates clash as they are still awaiting their work permits, with Solomons hoping the paperwork arrives before the weekend tie.
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