The upcoming Betway Premiership action will be headlined by a KwaZulu-Natal derby, Richards Bay against AmaZulu, as well as Mamelodi Sundowns being presented with the chance to steal a march on co-leaders and champions Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns are coming from 2-0 victory on Wednesday evening, easing past rookies Milford FC to draw level with Pirates at the top of the table. With the latter club in CAF continental action this weekend, the Brazilians will have the chance to surge three points clear on Sunday when they face Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Sundowns and Arrows are very well acquainted after meeting the past two weekends in a two-legged MTN8 semifinal which ended 3-3 on aggregate (with ‘Downs winning on the away goals rule), and it would be no surprise if they produced another hard-fought encounter.
Sunday features Kaizer Chiefs hosting Siwelele FC at the Dobsonville Stadium. The Amakhosi have made a positive start to the league season (two wins, two draws), but coach Fernando Da Cruz believes they have missed a trick by not claiming a full haul of four victories.
“We have eight points but normally we should have 12 points, because against Mamelodi Sundowns we also made mistakes. We need to learn from our mistakes and continue to work hard,” said Da Cruz, whose side played to a 2-2 draw away to Richards Bay last time out.
The weekend’s action opens on Friday evening with concurrent matches in Rustenburg and Durban. At the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Marumo Gallants will chase the first win of the season when they host Polokwane City, while the Princess Magogo Stadium hosts a KwaZulu-Natal derby between Richards Bay and AmaZulu FC.
Usuthu’s standout player so far this season has been striker Thadolwenkosi Ngwenya, who has scored seven goals across all competitions thus far, but coach Arthur Zwane does not want to see his team relying so heavily on the Zimbabwean.
“It’s good to see him scoring goals,” said Zwane. “The only concern is that it can’t be only him who scores for us. Others also need to take responsibility. You can’t rely on him, because if he gets injured again, then we’re going to have a problem.”
Saturday’s brace of matches sees Chippa United host Milford FC at the Buffalo City Stadium, before Sekhukhune United and TS Galaxy lock horns at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Chippa have had a slow start to the campaign, but coach Brandon Truter hopes that a return to the Eastern Cape for their homes matches – having had venues unavailable in recent weeks – could mark a turning point.
“We are closer to getting those three points, especially now coming back home to the Eastern Cape and coming back to our home supporters. I think that will be our turning point,” said Truter.
“Milford is not an easy opponent that we are facing next. It’s a team that comes up from the first division. It’s a team that comes up wanting to prove themselves with a lot of energy as well.”
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP WEEKEND FIXTURES
Times CAT
Friday 4 September
7:30pm: Marumo Gallants v Polokwane City
7:30pm: Richards Bay v AmaZulu FC
Saturday 5 September
3pm: Chippa United v Milford FC
5:30pm: Sekhukhune United v TS Galaxy
Sunday 6 September
3pm: Golden Arrows v Mamelodi Sundowns
5:30pm: Kaizer Chiefs v Siwelele FC