An eagerly anticipated Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will headline a busy weekend of action in the Betway Premiership. Catch the action live on SS PSL, DStv Compact and SS Variety 4 (Access). Match buildup starts at 2pm.
Pirates and Chiefs will renew their iconic rivalry with a meeting at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and both come into the clash in solid form: the Buccaneers have racked up three straight wins across all competitions, most recently defeating Richards Bay in the Nedbank Cup, while the Amakhosi’s 4-0 triumph over Free Agents in the same competition was their third win from four matches.
A more salient interpretation for this clash is that Chiefs will be looking to dent Pirates’ title hopes. Bucs are six points off the pace of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (but with a game in hand), and though the Amakhosi are just a further six behind themselves, they have played three more league matches than their arch rivals.
Getting into the title picture seems unlikely for Chiefs this season, but dragging Pirates down would be – temporarily at least – just as rewarding.
Chiefs assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who oversaw the win over Agents in the absence of suspended Nasreddine Nabi, believes the team in gold and black has what it takes to emerge as victors on Saturday.
“The derby is 50-50 for both teams,” said Youssef. “We have our ideas, they have their ideas, we will see [...]. We will win, we will see during the match.”
The round opens on Friday night at the King Zwelithini Stadium with a relegation six-pointer between Richards Bay and Magesi FC, while Saturday’s action outside of the Soweto Derby includes potential thrillers pitting Stellenbosch FC against Sekhukhune United, and AmaZulu FC against SuperSport United.
Sunday will see TS Galaxy looking to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to nine matches when they host Cape Town City, before the weekend closes with Mamelodi Sundowns hosting Golden Arrows.
The Brazilians will need to respond to, or take advantage of, whatever result Pirates achieved the day prior, and they will back themselves to overcome an Abafana Bes’thende team, which has just one win from their last six matches across competitions, and has not beaten ‘Downs in a competitive game since 2019.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND FIXTURES
Times CAT
Friday 31 January
7:30pm: Richards Bay v Magesi FC
Saturday 1 February
3:30pm: Marumo Gallants v Royal AM
3:30pm: Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs
3:30pm: Stellenbosch FC v Sekhukhune United
5:30pm: Polokwane City v Chippa United
8pm: AmaZulu FC v SuperSport United
Sunday 2 February
3:30pm: TS Galaxy v Cape Town City
5:45pm: Mamelodi Sundowns v Golden Arrows