Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has addressed questions over Amakhosi's readiness to challenge for the league title.
After finishing in ninth position last season, and subsequently failing to qualify for the MTN8, the microscope will be pointed sharply at the coach and his side in the 25/26 season.
Chiefs will kick off their campaign with a trip to the Western Cape where they take on Stellenbosch, who finished third last season, to kick off Nabi's second campaign at the helm.
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Expectations are slightly higher this time around, with this season understood to be a make-or-break for Nabi, with whom Amakhosi's management was divided towards the end of last season.
The Nedbank triumph showed that Chiefs indeed have the quality to compete for trophies, and questions have been raised over the squad's readiness to challenge for the Betway Premiership title this season.
Speaking at the Betway Premiership launch in Sandton on Tuesday, Nabi was quick to pour cold water over such suggestions.
"About the league title, I would not say that about the title (that Chiefs is ready to challenge), but I'm going to take it game by game, but I am pretty sure that we will be better than last season," Nabi said.
"It's going to be a tough league, but we know where we have come and where we want to go, and we are looking forward to it.
"I'd like to finish by wishing the referees a very good season. I promise that I will behave better than I did last season."
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Chiefs' match against Stellies will be played at Athlone Stadium.
Kick off is scheduled for 17:30.
