Cape derby takes centre stage this midweek

The Cape derby between Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City will take centre stage in the first full midweek round of fixtures in the 2024-25 Betway Premiership.

Stellies and the Citizens will meet at the Athlone Stadium on the evening of Wednesday, 25 September, with both teams chasing a first league win of the season.

Stellenbosch suffered a surprise 2-0 home loss at the hands of Golden Arrows last midweek to open their Premiership campaign on a low note – though they could be forgiven for putting more focus on a very testing Caf Confederation Cup qualifying tie against DR Congo’s AS Vita Club which concluded this past weekend with the Winelands club advancing 3-1 on aggregate to progress into the group stage.

City, meanwhile, were held 1-1 by Royal AM in their league opener on September 14.

“It doesn’t help to dwell on this loss [against Arrows],” said Stellies coach Steve Barker. "We have to focus on that game, and the big derby game in our next league game next week Wednesday.”

The round opens on Tuesday, 24 September – a public holiday – with Orlando Pirates hosting Polokwane City in Soweto in the afternoon, followed by champions Mamelodi Sundowns tackling Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, and a KwaZulu-Natal derby between Royal AM and Richards Bay at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Wednesday, aside from the Cape derby, also features a clash between traditional heavyweights AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Usuthu are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss at Polokwane City in their opener, while the Amakhosi want to build on a 2-1 win over Marumo Gallants.

“I know Nasreddine [Nabi, new Chiefs manager] for a long time, we played [coached] against each other [in Tanzania] and I know how difficult it is to beat him,” said AmaZulu boss Pablo Franco Martin.

“I’m sure that he is bringing fresh air to Kaizer Chiefs and any coach when it comes to a new team will do anything like that, also he has experience. On the other hand, I think it’s going to be difficult because we know each other. I think it’s going to be an interesting battle.”

Also on the fixture card are a clash pitting Golden Arrows against Magesi FC, while Sekhukhune United host Chippa United, and SuperSport United tackle TS Galaxy at TUT Stadium.

BETWAY PREMIERSHIP MIDWEEK FIXTURES

TIMES CAT

TUESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER

3pm: Orlando Pirates v Polokwane City

5:30pm: Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo Gallants

7:30pm: Royal AM v Richards Bay

WEDNESDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER

7:30pm: AmaZulu FC v Kaizer Chiefs

7:30pm: Golden Arrows v Magesi FC

7:30pm: Sekhukhune United v Chippa United

7:30pm: Stellenbosch FC v Cape Town City

7:30pm: SuperSport United v TS Galaxy