March is Derby month in the DStv Premiership with several key matchups between bitter rivals that could shape the second half of the season.
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It is not just local bragging rights on offer, but also key league points at both ends of the table.
KAIZER CHIEFS 0-0 MOROKA SWALLOWS
March 2, 17h30 – live SuperSport PSL
FNB Stadium
Ten-man Kaizer Chiefs held Soweto rivals Moroka Swallows to a 0-0 draw in a DStv Premiership match played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
In a match which was disrupted by a fierce lightning storm, the Amakhosi should feel more satisfaction at the result having played almost half of the contest with a numerical disadvantage, while the Birds may reflect on a lack of killer instinct.
Chiefs are placed sixth with 26 points from their 18 league matches, while Swallows are seven places and six points further back.
CAPE TOWN CITY 1-1 STELLENBOSCH FC
March 5, 19h30 – live SuperSport PSL
Cape Town Stadium
Stellenbosch pushed for a 1-1 draw against an in-form Cape Town Spurs in the DStv Premiership at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening. The motive was clear for Spurs who have been in great form in the second-half of the season, but Stellies remained determined to walk away with at least a point in the Cape Derby.
The match was competitive right away as both teams attacked each other from the moment the whistle was blown. By the tenth minute Iqraam Rayners was in on goal but could not capitalise as he was in an offside position. Five minutes later, Spurs goalkeeper Neil Boshoff had to come off his line from the danger coming from a charging Anicet Oura and the team began to tighten up more at the back.
ORLANDO PIRATES 3-2 KAIZER CHIEFS
March 9, 15h30 – live SuperSport PSL
FNB Stadium
Orlando Pirates twice came from behind to defeat Soweto derby rivals Kaizer Chiefs 3-2 in a thrilling DStv Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers secured a first league ‘double’ over the Amakhosi since 2008-09 thanks in the main to a brace from Monnapule Saleng, while the hero for the team in gold was Ashley du Preez, who twice put his team in the lead.
The result pushed Pirates up to second place on the log on 33 points, while Chiefs dropped to seventh on 29 points.
STELLENBOSCH vs CAPE TOWN SPURS
March 9, 17h30 – live SuperSport PSL
Danie Craven Stadium
Perhaps less of a rivalry than the one between Stellenbosch and Cape Town City, this fixture is still a provincial battle that could have a huge bearing on the remainder of the season for both sides.
Stellenbosch’s ambitions are well known, but for Cape Town Spurs it is all about survival and nothing more. They remain six points adrift at the foot of the table, but a recent 3-1 win over AmaZulu has provided hope.
Coach Ernst Middendorp made extensive changes to the squad in the January transfer window, including the promotion of several exciting young players from the team’s development ranks, and the wily German will have a plan for his side.
Stellies were handsome 3-0 away winners in the reverse fixture earlier this season and claimed a 2-1 home success when these sides met in the Motsepe Foundation Championship in the 2018/19 season.
Iqraam Rayners got a brace that day and will hope for a repeat performance. Jarrod Moroole was in the Stellenbosch on that occasion, but could line up this time round for Spurs.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS vs SUPERSPORT UNITED
March 30, 20h00 – live SuperSport PSL
Loftus Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated this fixture of late with SuperSport United’s last away win in 2019, but it has not always been the case that The Brazilians have been top dogs.
Sundowns have won four of the last five meetings, but SuperSport’s 2-1 home victory in September 2022 was the last time coach Rulani Mokwena’s team lost a league match.
They have gone 39 (W30 D9) games without defeat since then – in effect more than a DStv Premiership season – but have yet to have an ‘Invincibles’ campaign with no losses. Could this be the year they make history?
The added layer of intrigue in this fixture is that there are no less than seven former SuperSport players in the Sundowns squad, including Matsatsantsa’s record-holder for appearances, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. SuperSport, meanwhile, have four former Sundowns players.
SuperSport have had a rejuvenation under coach Gavin Hunt and are battling hard for CAF Champions League football next season, though they only trail DStv Premiership leaders Sundowns by nine points, albeit that the latter have two games in hand.