Race for second & relegation playoffs take centre stage
The 2023-24 DStv Premiership will stage its penultimate round of matches on Saturday afternoon, with all eight fixtures kicking off simultaneously across the country.
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The focus will fall on the race for second place – between Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates – as well as Richards Bay’s attempt to chase down Royal AM and avoid the relegation playoffs.
Stellies, who currently occupy second place and hold a one point lead over Pirates, have a tough task ahead of them, as they host champions Mamelodi Sundowns – with the Tshwane giants motivated to go through the entire league season unbeaten and needing just one more win to eclipse the PSL points record (71) for a 30-game season.
As we head to matchday 29 in the #DStvPrem the Stellenbosch and Pirates have secured their spots in next season's CAF interclub tournaments.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 17, 2024
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 👀 pic.twitter.com/7x3ftkfeaM
The Buccaneers also have a tricky fixture, as they face TS Galaxy away from home at the Mbombela Stadium, but coach Jose Riveiro is determined that they will keep their eyes on the prize: a place in next season’s CAF Champions League.
“We played a final and one final and we lost one final, and we have another final this weekend in Mbombela [against TS Galaxy] and then we have another final with SuperSport United [on 25 May, the final day of the league season],” said Riveiro.
“We are playing for something really important for our club, and that is why we have to give our all, whether we are playing good or not.”
The Spanish tactician added, “We want to be in the Champions League next season and right now Stellenbosch are in that position and we want to get there.
“To do that, we have to run an extra mile, all of us. The technical team, the players, everybody in the team and that is the only way to make it possible.”
Ahead of the clash between TS Galaxy and Orlando Pirates in the #DStvPrem, @TheBold27 and @BonganiKhumal0 look at how the game will be approached tactically.
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 17, 2024
Watch the full preview here 👇
Down at the bottom of the log, Cape Town Spurs (who will be away to Golden Arrows) have officially been relegated, but the team which enters the relegation playoffs against the second and third place finishers from the Motsepe Foundation Championship is yet to be decided.
Currently Richards Bay are on course to enter the playoffs, but they are just two points behind Royal AM and in outstanding form: four wins from their last six league matches, including a triumph over Pirates last weekend.
The Natal Rich Boyz will aim to defeat Cape Town City away from home and hope that Thwihli Thwahla (who have suffered five straight losses) stumble at home to Chippa United.
Another important match is Kaizer Chiefs hosting Polokwane City, with the Limpopo visitors hoping to claim a win and leapfrog the Soweto giants (who have just one win from their last nine league matches) into the top eight.
WEEKEND FIXTURES (Times CAT)
Saturday 18 May – all matches kick-off at 3pm
Cape Town City v Richards Bay
Royal AM v Chippa United
Sekhukhune United v AmaZulu FC
TS Galaxy v Orlando Pirates
Golden Arrows v Cape Town Spurs
Stellenbosch FC v Mamelodi Sundowns
Kaizer Chiefs v Polokwane City
SuperSport United v Moroka Swallows
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