The Premier League is made up of eight clubs and the opening day on Saturday will feature three matches.
Newcomers Shepherds United will take on Tupuji Imere in what promises to be an entertaining match-up. Both clubs play a similar brand of football and their colourful supports – in Shepherds’ black and white and Tupuji’s yellow and blue – will help to create a great atmosphere.
Shepherds will be looking to make their mark on the league in their first match, just as they have done going into the Independence Cup finals and recently the third and fourth place TVL Cup playoffs.
Tupuji are not one of the leading premier clubs but have been in the top division for quite some time and have plenty of experience.
The second game of the day will see the Academy team take on another side new to the elite division, Ifira Black Birds.
The Academy side is made up of Vanuatu’s national U-17 and U-20 reps and have already proven themselves as a team not to be taken lightly, pocketing several draws with former champions Tafea and current champions Amical last season.
Ifira enjoyed a surprise victory over O-League reps Amical in the TVL Cup but the rest of their campaigns in the Independence and TVL cups were disappointing and they will be hoping for a return to form.
The final game of the day pitches Spirit 08 against Yatel. The revamped Spirit 08 moved up the premier division in 2008 and now have the potential and experience in their side to go head-to-head with the best.
Yatel have slowly been building themselves up and will be looking to make a good start after a disappointing previous season.
There are no matches for the Tafea and champions Amical this week but next week Tafea will play Spirit 08 and Amical will take on the young stars from Teouma.
The schedule for Saturday’s matches is as follows:
Shepherds United vs. Tupuji Imere
12pm
Academy vs. Ifira Black Birds
1.45pm
Spirit 08 vs. Yatel
3.30pm