A relegation six-pointer between Marumo Gallants and SuperSport United will headline this weekend’s Betway Premiership action, while Orlando Pirates will look to make up ground on leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Gallants and SuperSport will meet for a crunch clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The visiting Matsatsantsa occupy the relegation playoff berth (15th) and have managed just one win from their last 11 league matches, while the hosts – despite winning their last two matches in succession – are just three points further up the table, having played a fixture more.
Despite their struggles, which even brought about the departure of beloved tactician Gavin Hunt, SuperSport interim coach Andre Arendse remains confident that they will dig themselves out of trouble.
“It's very easy to fall into panic mode when we look at the league table. But we have to stay as far away as possible from panic,” said the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.
“We have to keep doing the things we're doing. I know that the games are running out, but this is what we're used to, this is what we know, and I think that it's a matter of time before we win games.
“I know there are not many games left, but it's [a turn in form] definitely coming. I have so much confidence in this team. If I go through them, man for man, they can compete with the best teams out there.”
Saturday will also feature Orlando Pirates visiting Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. With leaders Mamelodi Sundowns not in action this weekend, the Buccaneers can close the gap to the top to 12 points if they can win on their trip to the Limpopo province.
“There’s nothing around us that can make me feel not or anything else than positive,” said Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, whose team claimed a 1-0 away win in Algeria in the CAF Champions League this past midweek.
“I’m optimistic. If you have a look at our performances so far in every competition, I think we’ve been part of one of the best teams in Pirates’ history.”
Two further fixtures on Saturday will feature Chippa United chasing a hat-trick of wins when they visit Golden Arrows, while Kaizer Chiefs will be desperate to end a three-game winless run when they tackle TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The round opens on Friday night with a KwaZulu-Natal derby at the King Zwelithini Stadium, with AmaZulu FC looking to break a winless run of four games when they host Richards Bay, while Sunday’s lone game comes from the ‘Mother City’, as Cape Town City (10 winless in the league and just two points above the relegation playoff zone) find themselves under pressure to defeat visitors Sekhukhune United.
“We're running out of games, I know,” admitted City’s interim coach Diogo Peral. “I know what I've got, I know what they're [players] capable of, so I'd like to see their full potential sometime this season.”
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND FIXTURES
Times CAT
Friday 4 April
19:30: AmaZulu FC v Richards Bay
Saturday 5 April
15:00: Golden Arrows v Chippa United
15:00: Marumo Gallants v SuperSport United
15:00: Polokwane City v Orlando Pirates
19:00: Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy
Sunday 6 April
17:30: Cape Town City v Sekhukhune United
Mamelodi Sundowns v Stellenbosch FC – Postponed